The Thai Craft Promotion Institute (SACIT), under the Ministry of Commerce, is driving Thai handicrafts toward sustainability through a Sustainable Craft Business Model designed to systematically strengthen Thai artisanal potential across economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. SACIT has selected Varni Craft from Phatthalung province as a successful model for creating sustainable local handicraft practices under an ESG framework, elevating local wisdom into globally recognized creative business.

Director Anucha Theerakanan of SACIT stated that the institute is advancing Thai handicrafts under the vision "Nurturing Thai Crafts to Global Trends," using the Sustainable Craft Business Model as a framework for integrated development of Thai craft entrepreneurs across the entire value chain.

This encompasses preserving knowledge and cultural capital, upgrading artisan skills, product design and development, responsible production, co-creating value with communities, and building brands to expand markets. The goal is to enable Thai handicrafts to compete in modern markets while preserving local identity and wisdom alongside generating stable community income.

"This model is not merely an environmental practice, but a strategy that transforms Thai crafts into premium lifestyle products, drives sustainable growth in the Thai craft ecosystem, and establishes Thai crafts as a genuine 'planet-conscious brand'," Anucha said.

Varni Craft from Phatthalung, founded in 2014 by Manutphong Senghuad, an heir to traditional palm-weaving craftsmanship under SACIT, represents a concrete application of the Sustainable Craft Business Model. It has transformed the palm-weaving knowledge of the Thale Noi community into contemporary lifestyle products through brand identity development, modern product design, and upgraded production processes aligned with circular economy principles. This has created added value while generating income for producers in the community and expanded business opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

Vice Director Sangravee Singhawibuul noted that Varni Craft's success demonstrates the transformation of the palm plant—traditionally viewed merely as wetland vegetation in the Thale Noi area—into a valued community commodity. Through upcycling and creative innovation, it generates continuous income for the locality.

"The product has also been elevated through geographic indication (GI) registration, recognizing that palm plants from Phatthalung's unique wetland ecosystem possess special properties: resilient, supple fibers and natural beautiful colors. Combined with traditional weaving wisdom, this creates craft products with both cultural storytelling and international quality standards," Sangravee concluded.

Thailand moves ahead with gun law despite sport shooting concernsLegacyThailand’s government is pressing ahead with stricter firearms controls, even as the country’s shooting sport association raises concerns that the new rules are disrupting athlete training and gun transport. The prime minister addressed the pushback after the shooting sport association flagged that tightened gun control measures were making it harder for competitors to move their firearms and continue regular training. He said the Interior Ministry’s Department of Provincial Administration, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the shooting sport association are now working closely together to resolve the issue. Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the government will continue pushing additional firearms control legislation. He added that officials would examine the details carefully to ensure the rules are proportionate and don’t create problems for people who legitimately need to use firearms, particularly athletes. One of the main points under discussion is how gun transport should be handled in different situations, including when owners relocate or travel to training sessions and competitions. Anutin said clear guidelines are needed so movements can be properly tracked, without becoming an obstacle for athletes doing their jobs. He said all relevant parties would be given the chance to help shape the new rules. The government’s main goal, he added, is to draft legislation that prioritises public safety and closes loopholes that let firearms fall into the wrong hands, while still striking a balance so the sport shooting community isn’t hit harder than necessary.

In a related development that has driven the government’s push for firearms control, Thailand has recorded six major mass shootings over the past six years, in settings ranging from shopping malls to schools. The story Thailand moves ahead with gun law despite sport shooting concerns as seen on Thaiger News.

On August 15, 2569, reporters documented the bustling atmosphere at Rishi Monastery, Dhatu Buddha Kun in Tambon Po Taeng, Bang Thai District, Ayutthaya Province—a well-known spiritual tourist destination. Throughout the day, locals and visitors continuously paid respects to sacred shrines seeking blessings, spiritual merit, and good fortune. The monastery grounds featured multiple sacred sites for worship, including a nine-faced Phra Vessuwan statue standing 16 meters tall, the shrine of Mae Takhian, Phra Phikhaneswar, Phra Sangkachai, Luang Pho Mi, Chindamani Cave, and the Golden Child statue of Jao Sua Heng. Devotees brought offerings including pumpkins, red water, snacks, toys, bicycles, and rice.

Many visitors also participated in ceremonies led by the monastery's rishi monks, including the ritual of opening the fortune's golden face, anointing the hands, and bathing in blessed water for auspiciousness, prosperity, career advancement, and business success. Former leading actress Mae Duang Kaew, mother of actors Sarama and Nam Petch from the Sarama-Nam Petch ensemble, donated 150 kilograms of rice and drinking water to the monastery, continuing her regular devotional visits.

At the merit pavilion near the grandfather rishi's shrine, many lottery hopefuls examined drops of red candle wax appearing in the blessing water, attempting to discern lottery numbers. Clusters of numbers including 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 were observed. These numbers represent only what devotees personally perceived from the candle wax droplets according to individual belief and do not constitute any official lottery result confirmation.

On August 15 at Bangkok Railway Station, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, speaking as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, said he is not concerned about an opposition move to debate a no-confidence motion that may cover the TH-AI Passport project. He stated that he is unafraid and unworried because the programme is grounded in law and regulations, has undergone internal review, and includes cooperation with the opposition on information sharing and contract improvements to benefit both the state and citizens.

When asked if he is confident he can explain the project to parliament, Chidchob said he can provide a correct explanation following all legal procedures, but acknowledged that no matter how he explains, the opposition will likely remain unsatisfied.

On the question of whether he is confident the parliamentary vote will align in one direction, Chidchob said he is confident the initiative is good and necessary for the public because it reduces inequality. He noted that at a global artificial intelligence conference in China, his ministry's booth was the only one that attracted attention and praise from multiple foreign ministers because it addresses inequality.

When pressed on whether, as party secretary-general, he needs to coordinate with party members to ensure they vote in the same direction, Chidchob said such coordination is not necessary.

Regarding concerns about other matters such as a legal case involving a senator, Chidchob said he has no concerns and maintains that it involves old issues already under investigation.

Station Fresh Noodles owner Ton Hom has explained the timeline of a dispute with a customer who sat in the restaurant for about five hours after ordering just one pad Thai dish. The owner states the location comprises two separate zones: a cafe called Husk of Thurachai and a food restaurant called Station Fresh Noodles, operated by different owners. The restaurant name honors the original property owner, Luang Thuraprakas.

According to Ton Hom, the customer group first visited the cafe and asked whether the two establishments were connected. After the cafe clarified they were separate, a female customer entered Station Fresh Noodles at around 3:58 p.m. and ordered pad Thai. She then sat talking and working for an extended period, arriving around 1:00 p.m. and remaining until approximately 6:00 p.m.

Around 5:30 p.m., the customer left to see off a friend and returned to sit by the waterfront area, leaving her bag with staff. Because the restaurant had three to four advance table reservations and the customer's bag was on a chair, staff moved it near the CCTV camera by the exit to prevent other customers from knocking it down. When the customer returned and noticed her bag had been moved, she inquired about it. Staff confirmed they had kept her drink and provided it to her by the waterfront.

The customer then asked who the manager was. Ton Hom introduced himself as the owner and explained that the customer had been seated since around 1:00-6:00 p.m., but as a restaurant with subsequent table bookings, space needed to be arranged because the venue is not a cafe or workspace where customers can work all day. Ton Hom insisted he did not intend to remove the customer and even provided water and ice to her by the waterfront, where she sat for about 20 minutes before preparing to leave.

Before departing, the customer leaned toward the restaurant area and said she had originally planned to return for another meal but would not do so and would not use the service again. The staff responded politely, "No problem, thank you." The customer then expressed dissatisfaction loudly, shouting "This restaurant is rubbish" before leaving.

Afterward, the customer posted a negative review on Google Maps and social media, criticizing the food and service and claiming staff and owner behavior was inappropriate, including references to gender issues. Ton Hom stated that after seeing the review, the restaurant took screenshots of all the messages and initially chose not to respond, viewing the customer as a customer and wanting to avoid conflict. However, when certain points seemed to cross the line, the owner decided to clarify the situation.

BANGKOK — 15 August 2026, Australian diplomat and international lawyer Katrina Cooper has been appointed chair of a conciliation commission operating under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The ministry said the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued a statement on Friday, 14 August, announcing Cooper's appointment as the fifth conciliator and chair of the Conciliation Commission. The Thai government has been formally notified by the PCA.

Cooper, whom Thailand was among those supporting for the role, is an experienced diplomat and international lawyer with expertise in international law and negotiations, according to the ministry. She has also held senior diplomatic posts, including serving as Australia's ambassador to Mexico.

Cooper previously served as a co-agent for the Australian government in the compulsory conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS between Australia and Timor-Leste, giving her direct experience with the same dispute-settlement mechanism.

The next step will be for the commission to set a date for its first meeting, which is provisionally expected to take place in September. Among the main items on the agenda will be the adoption of rules of procedure setting out how the commission will operate and providing a framework for subsequent meetings and proceedings.

The Foreign Ministry said Thailand was ready to fully cooperate with and support the commission, describing conciliation as a peaceful dispute-settlement mechanism under UNCLOS. The ministry and other relevant agencies would work to protect Thailand's national interests while participating in the process on the basis of international law, with the aim of reaching a sustainable solution for both countries, it said.