Thai rugby will have a good opportunity to test its teams in the 2026 Asia Series first leg from August 26-31 in China, ahead of competing in the 20th Asian Games from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. The Thai Rugby Football Association is confident the women's team will secure a medal. Both the men's and women's sevens teams competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, are continuing intensive training with support from the Thailand Sports Authority and the National Sports Development Fund.

Before entering the 20th Asian Games, the Thai rugby team will test itself in the 2026 Asia Series first leg from August 26-31 in China, a tournament featuring leading Asian nations that will also compete at the Asian Games.

Police Colonel Gulthorn Prajuab, president of the Thai Rugby Football Association, revealed that the association has set clear targets to win medals at these Asian Games, particularly the women's team, which is confident of bringing back at least one bronze medal.

"At these Asian Games, the Thai rugby team will definitely have at least one bronze medal from the women's team. The teams we must beat are Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. For the men's team, we have refreshed more than half the squad from the recent SEA Games champions, and we have called up two Thai-origin rugby players from abroad to strengthen the team, with a goal of making the top six," Gulthorn said.

The association president added thanks to the Thailand Sports Authority for consistently supporting the rugby association and monitoring its performance at international venues.

Rugby at the 20th Asian Games will feature the sevens format, competing for two gold medals. The women's tournament has eight teams divided into two groups in the first round. Thailand is in Group A with host Japan, Kazakhstan, and Singapore, while Group B includes China, Hong Kong, India, and Malaysia.

The men's tournament has twelve teams divided into three groups in the first round. Thailand is in Group B with host Japan, South Korea, and Kazakhstan; Group A includes China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan; and Group C includes Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and the Philippines.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported on August 11 that global oceans reached record surface temperatures in July 2026, partly driven by El Niño conditions in the Pacific. Between 60°N and 60°S latitude, average sea surface temperatures hit 20.96°C, exceeding the previous high of 20.89°C recorded in 2023. July also ranks as the second-hottest July on record globally, running 1.47°C above pre-industrial averages.

Europe experienced historic ocean warming along Atlantic coastlines and the western Mediterranean, triggering intense and widespread marine heat waves. Tropical Pacific waters remain exceptionally warm during the ongoing El Niño and are expected to intensify over the coming months. Warming oceans drive sea level rise—thermal expansion alone accounts for roughly one-third of observed increases—threatening low-lying coasts and island nations.

Warmer seas intensify and prolong marine heat waves, triggering widespread coral bleaching and destroying seaweed beds and fisheries. The warming also increases heat and moisture evaporation into the atmosphere, fueling more severe tropical storms with heavier rainfall.

On August 11, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Minister of Transport addressed the appointment of Piyapong Jiwatkulpaisal, director-general of the Department of Highways, to the position of permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry. Phipat stated that ministry projects will continue uninterrupted since Piyapong already holds his current position and can smoothly transition into the new role.

Phipat emphasized that the appointment was based on merit and a recommendation from the current permanent secretary, Chayathorn Phromsor, not political quotas. He noted that Piyapong has advanced through the ranks on his own abilities and performed well under previous transport ministers. When asked about the vacant director-general position, Phipat said the ministry will conduct a competitive selection process with public announcement and examination, expecting 14 to 18 applicants screened down to three finalists.

Phipat highlighted Piyapong's suitability for the permanent secretary role, describing him as knowledgeable and experienced. He explained that since the Department of Highways manages the ministry's largest construction budget, appointing someone from that background provides a comprehensive view of all transport operations—railways, air, and maritime—which require integrated management. Phipat added that the ministry is already accelerating all projects, with ongoing development supported by committed budgets and annual allocations.

On August 11, Air Chief Marshal Abhichai Kaewkosal, a Phetchaburi MP and vice chair of the parliamentary police committee, discussed recent shooting incidents, saying the committee has received orders from Prime Minister Anuthim Charnweerakul and Interior Minister to enforce stricter measures. The committee is working with the Department of Local Administration to draft new laws and regulations for gun owners. Regarding Cholaklong Riaowraeng, a former Nonthaburi MP, who shot a Nonthaburi provincial administrative organization chairman, Abhichai acknowledged criticism of police for failing to handcuff the suspect and allowing him to smoke during arrest. He confirmed that the Prime Minister directly called the police chief to reprimand him over the incident shown in media footage. Abhichai said the lapse represented a need for improvement by both police and local authorities. When asked whether the incident could be tied to politics, Abhichai stated that based on Cholaklong's public statements, the shooting appeared to be a personal matter unrelated to political issues. He noted that Cholaklong and the provincial chairman had been close like siblings. "I dare say this is not about politics," Abhichai said. "In today's era, competition happens within proper frameworks—we no longer resort to violence."

The Thai SME Federation is proposing to revive provincial public-private partnership committees as a mechanism to connect government agencies, private businesses, and entrepreneurs at the local level to stimulate grassroots economic growth and advance tourism development in 50 secondary cities with multibillion-baht investment. Federation chairman Noppapong Thirawon disclosed the proposal after attending a meeting of the Trade and Service subcommittee, presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Sutthiraphan and Commerce Minister. The chairman stated that the meeting offered a crucial opportunity for public and private sectors and MSME networks to exchange proposals to drive Thailand's economy forward.

The federation urged the revitalization of provincial public-private committees to serve as a bridge linking government, private sector, and local entrepreneurs, believing this would enable problem-solving and economic development better aligned with each province's capabilities. The federation also proposed developing man-made tourist attractions in 50 secondary cities, allocating 200 million baht per province, with each provincial committee tasked to propose suitable attractions to generate new economic activity, distribute income to communities, and create opportunities for small business operators throughout the value chain.

Another key proposal involves supporting e-commerce for Thai entrepreneurs to expand marketing channels for MSMEs. The federation is preparing to launch an 'SME Proud' platform to connect entrepreneurs with markets and business opportunities, aiming to create careers, jobs, and income on a broader scale. "Thai SMEs don't just need relief measures—they need mechanisms that allow entrepreneurs to grow on their own," Noppapong stated. "Linking the strength of government, private sector, and MSME networks is the heart of driving Thailand's economy forward together."

Content creators and fans from across Thailand converged on Samoedet District in Kalasin province on August 11, 2025, to pay final respects to Haloon Solo, whose real name was Bowortthat Pengsuk. The popular YouTuber and backpacker died while traveling in Georgia. Mourners began arriving early in the day, with family and neighbors providing warm hospitality to those coming to pay their respects.

At 11 a.m., family members invited four Buddhist monks to perform merit-making ceremonies and offer food donations. The family then conducted a traditional funeral blessing, with monks chanting protective verses before the body was moved nearly one kilometer to Rangsee Chachwal Temple, where the cremation ceremony was held.

Nangasadit Kailthep, a YouTuber and fan from Udon Thani province, explained that she followed Haloon's journey after her son told her about a man who traveled the world starting with only 300 baht. She became inspired to start her own YouTube channel after watching his content, and when she learned of his death, she made the journey to pay her respects and say goodbye to her idol.

Nangsukannya Khajorveeratham, a fan from Ko Lanta in Narathiwat, traveled over 1,700 kilometers to attend the ceremony. Despite having watched only two of Haloon's videos, she was deeply impressed by his innovative content creation style and his determination to succeed despite limited resources. She said the round-trip journey exceeded 3,600 kilometers, but she came out of love and admiration, and to see the birthplace that shaped such an inspiring young person. After the funeral blessing, officials prepared to transport the body to the temple for the cremation ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m.