Thailand's diving team is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games by bringing back Coach Baiyun Ping, a former Chinese national coach, to train two Thai athletes. Head coach Suchart Pichi explained that the team initially sought budget approval to send divers Thitiphumi Maksin and Chavalavat Chanphodawanl to train in China, but budget constraints led to inviting Coach Baiyun Ping to Thailand instead.

Coach Baiyun Ping, who previously coached Thailand's national diving team, is helping refine diving techniques and build strength in the two leading Thai athletes. The athletes are adjusting to his more intense training regimen, which is more demanding than their previous preparation. The diving federation also invited Ping to share knowledge and experience with Thailand's youth national team at Thammasat University's aquatic center.

Permanent employment of Coach Baiyun Ping is unlikely due to health constraints limiting long-term team management, though short-term assignments remain possible. Ping noted that Thai diving athletes are talented but lack internationally standard training equipment. Training in China provides better facilities, though he would willingly coach in Thailand if proper equipment becomes available. Ping previously served as Mexico's diving coach starting in 2005, leading them to a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games before his return to assist Thailand.

The Energy Ministry is pushing the "solar rooftop" program, enabling citizens to install solar panels for free with no upfront payment, repaying costs through their electricity bills using monthly savings. Conclusions are expected within a month. Energy Ministry spokesperson Pongsapol Yodemuangcharoen said the ministry, led by Energy Minister Eknathai Saipangphan, has removed critical barriers by eliminating restrictions and streamlining the solar installation permit process to completion within seven days, and grid connection approvals to 30 days—previously taking a year. The government has also expanded clean energy purchases from the public by an additional 500 megawatts and is implementing the Finance Ministry's 500 million baht budget initiative to support rooftop solar installations. State financial institutions including the Government Savings Bank and Government Housing Bank will provide low-interest lending through an "install free, pay via electricity bill" model with these details: No upfront cost—the state subsidizes approximately 50,000 baht per household, targeting one million homes, plus low-interest credit (2-4 percent annually) from state banks. Repayment from electricity savings—participants use monthly electricity bill reductions to pay monthly installments. Immediate results—a 5kW system produces roughly 600 units monthly, saving approximately 2,150–2,200 baht per month; with payback in 5-7 years, monthly payments remain lower than savings, so residents see reduced electricity costs from the first month. "This elevates Thais to 'Prosumers'—both producers and consumers—or energy entrepreneurs achieving energy independence. Every 1,000 megawatts of rooftop solar Thailand produces reduces average electricity costs by 0.9 satang per unit. If this one-million-rooftop initiative succeeds—equivalent to 5,000 megawatts—it will cut expensive LNG imports and permanently reduce the national average electricity rate by nearly 5 satang per unit. This policy benefits all stakeholders: citizens reduce expenses, the state cuts energy imports, and the world gains clean power. We await clarity on the program model from the utility and expect conclusions in about a month. I want to see the million-rooftop solar initiative realized in Thailand and am ready to champion this policy to the fullest," Pongsapol said.

The Ministry of Education has rejected calls to relax student hair regulations, saying it has no direct authority to impose or set hairstyle rules. On August 18, Education Minister Prasert Chantharueangthong revealed after a Cabinet meeting that the ministry had prepared a report on recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission regarding student hair rights and guidelines, submitted to the Cabinet for acknowledgment. This followed the Cabinet's referral of the commission's recommendations to the ministry for consideration since 2024.

The minister stated that the commission's recommendations contained two key points. First, the commission proposed that the ministry clarify student rights and freedoms regarding hairstyles to prevent rights violations or unnecessary restrictions. However, the ministry concluded it has no direct power to issue regulations on student hairstyles, as such internal school policies fall under the authority and management of individual schools. The ministry already has clear guidelines on this matter, established since 2023 following advice from the Office of the Council of State, which require schools to bring the hair issue into discussions involving school committees, teachers, parents, and students to reach conclusions suited to each school's context.

"Regarding the second point, the commission proposed that the ministry amend the Child Protection Act of 2003 to explicitly recognize student hair rights in law. However, the ministry concluded that the act's core purpose focuses on child safety, and matters of dress or hairstyles fall outside the law's scope. Therefore, student hair rights cannot be directly legislated through this law, as it may conflict with the law's intent and scope," the minister said.

Prasert added that this Cabinet report represents the ministry's completion of its review of the commission's recommendations. The ministry continues to emphasize that schools should handle hair policies appropriately, creating space for all parties—especially students—to voice their opinions, ensuring school management aligns with context while respecting student rights alongside school regulations.

CJ MORE supermarket held its fifth Golden Microphone On-Tour event at the Wat Ma Byang Phorn branch in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong on Saturday, August 15, 2025. The event transformed the storefront activity area in the heart of the industrial zone into a space for factory workers and young people to recharge and relieve stress after grueling daily shifts. This Rayong stop marked the official season finale following successful tours of branches in Sakaeo, Chachoengsao, Surin, Ayutthaya, and Phitsanulok, with the company grateful for the warm reception from local industrial communities.

Pluak Daeng was selected as the final destination because it is a major hub for migrant workers from provinces across Thailand working away from home. CJ MORE and partner brands brought a nationwide entertainment lineup to the factory gates, allowing workers to shop and enjoy free entertainment without spending time and fuel traveling into Rayong city. The day featured an atmosphere where workers in uniforms and work clothes took turns singing, sharing messages and homesickness for their hometowns, with Thai country music serving as a unifying language connecting migrant hearts and creating a warm community that helped ease loneliness.

Judges and hosts from the "Golden Microphone Three Generations" programme on Workpoint TV Channel 23 provided guidance and nationwide-level experience. After intense competition throughout the day, the judging panel of Pauli Prapimol, Leo Atthip Soda, and Jakrapong Hanphirom selected two finalists to advance to the television programme: Kosol Geatsuk, a 31-year-old poultry vendor from Sisaket Province, and Anupong Inrueangsiree, a 27-year-old from Kalasin Province. Both expressed excitement about the opportunity and praised CJ MORE's professional production with its lighting, sound, and overall organisation.

The article features several highly sought-after Buddhist amulets and their histories. The Luang Pu Sim Budhajarero Mercy Medal was first cast in 1974 at Tham Pha Plong monastery in Chiang Mai's Prao district to raise funds for medicine and patient care; it comes in gold, silver, lead, and copper versions and features a half-length image with the word 'Mercy' inscribed below. The first-edition Luang Pho Chom medal from Wat Tha Sai in Surat Thani, created in 1952 during a Buddha image casting ceremony with only 3,000 pieces minted, is ranked among the most prestigious and valuable amulets of southern Thailand. The article also covers Luang Pu Iem Suvanasoro's four-yantra and five-yantra medals from Bangkok's Wat Nang Rajwarawiharn, cast in 1924 and 1925 respectively, with the five-yantra version remaining the most popular of all time. Finally, it describes Luang Pho Fu's Mantra of Khayal amulet from Wat Bang Samak in Chachoengsao, created to fund a naga-staircase construction project at Wat Chuk Kaeo in Chonburi, featuring an egg-shaped design with a meditating monk image and a Hanuman figure on the reverse.

Phra Kru Sophon Prachanard, or Luang Por Nard Nakasenai, was born Nard Perm Bunyachai on October 4, 1901, in Kanchanaburi province to parents Pim and Sambunyachai. Raised in poverty, he received basic education before helping his family farm rice to support the household. At age 29 in 1916, he took monastic ordination at Sri Loha Rat Bamrung Temple, receiving the ecclesiastical name Nakasenai. He studied Buddhist doctrine and achieved first, second, and third-level examination qualifications. He also trained in meditation practice with Luang Por Prem at his temple and traveled to Bangkok to study vipassana meditation and other teachings under Luang Por Sod Chandasaro at Pak Nam Temple. He learned traditional medicine, herbal remedies, and healing practices from lay teachers in his community. In 1951, he was appointed abbot of Sri Loha Rat Bamrung Temple and developed it into a flourishing center of learning. Known for his composed demeanor, clear speech, and sincere compassion, he practiced vipassana meditation daily without fail. In 1976, he and his disciples discovered tons of ancient lead in Sri Sawat district, believed to originate from the early Thai period when lead was cast for ancient religious statuary. From 1976 to 1977, he melted and pressed this lead into amulets resembling ancient sacred images, selling them to fund the construction of the temple's ordination hall and provide resources for villagers to restore temples throughout the district. In 1955 he was appointed preceptor, in 1964 he received the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Kru (First Class), and in 1968 and 1972 he was promoted further by royal decree. He passed away peacefully from old age on May 24, 1987, at the age of 86 and 57 vassa (monastic years). He was remembered as an exemplary scholar-monk of his era.