The government has greenlit an expansion of state-to-state (G to G) rice sales to China by a further 220,000 tonnes, while moving ahead to amend the existing agreement and extend delivery until 2026. According to the government office, the Cabinet has approved the increase in rice trading volume under a bilateral agricultural trade memorandum signed on December 19, 2014, as proposed by the Ministry of Commerce. The expansion aligns with China's wishes, with COFCO Corporation seeking to purchase a combined 500,000 tonnes from Thailand—280,000 tonnes from the existing contract and 220,000 tonnes in new purchases. The Ministry of Commerce has been tasked with drafting an amended contract in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, while incorporating views from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Under the original agreement, Thailand committed to supplying 1 million tonnes of rice to China. To date, the Department of Foreign Trade has delivered rice in eight shipments totaling 720,000 tonnes, with 280,000 tonnes still outstanding. The contract has been amended ten times, and both sides have agreed to modify it to accommodate the additional purchase volume and extend the final delivery deadline to 2026. The Ministry of Commerce noted that this volume increase represents a substantial change from the original framework previously approved by Cabinet, necessitating Cabinet reconsideration before contract amendments proceed. The Cabinet also acknowledged guidelines for G to G rice purchase negotiations and contracts, covering negotiation criteria, payment terms, delivery procedures, contract drafting steps, and information disclosure protocols, to standardize and ensure accountability in government rice trading.

NONTHABURI — On August 8, 2026, a student opened fire at a school while apparently searching for a Thai language teacher, following a dispute over receiving a failing grade in the subject. Classmates reported that the student had previously complained about the zero grade, saying they had submitted all assignments but did not understand why their grade had not been changed. The teacher the student was seeking had been absent the day before the incident; after failing to find the teacher following an initial shooting in Building 5, the student allegedly fired three shots into the air on the fourth floor of Building 4 before a fatal incident occurred. Investigators are examining whether the academic dispute and the student's family background—the student's grandmother was a former teacher—may have been factors in the shooting. Multiple classmates have provided statements to police confirming that the student was indeed looking for the Thai language teacher and that the zero grade was the first such failing mark the student had ever received.

Government spokesperson Phatdarasami Tongsluayakorn announced on August 8 that the administration is pursuing an active, community-centered approach to homelessness. On August 7, advisor Anekchai Rueangrattanakorn and officials from the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Bangkok's Quality of Life Protection and Promotion Center, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration conducted outreach on Rachadalai Road. They identified 16 homeless individuals—13 men and 3 women—and conducted individual interviews to assess their living conditions, physical and mental health, and needs. Two men voluntarily entered the city's protection and quality-of-life center for health assessment, substance abuse treatment, family contact tracing, and readiness evaluation before vocational training and employment support are arranged.

Spokesperson Phatdarasami emphasized that homeless assistance must be tailored to each individual, as causes and circumstances vary widely. The aim is not merely to remove people from public spaces, but to understand their situations and connect them to necessary services that address root problems and enable stable living conditions. The government and Ministry of Social Development will continue field monitoring and coordinate with relevant agencies to provide access to health services, welfare benefits, protection, family reunification, and employment opportunities, ensuring assistance directly addresses each person's needs and leads to improved quality of life.

Khosamangkhalaram Temple is located in Ban Kok Sawang, Tambon Kok Sawang, Amphoe Pla Pak, Nakhon Phanom Province, spread across 98 acres. The abbot is Luang Pho Hoei Suthimono, age 77, with six monks currently in residence.

The temple was inspired by Luang Pu Kham Phan Khosamangkhalaram ("Phra Sunthordhammakorn"), a renowned eastern Thai forest master and meditation teacher from Wat Thatumahajai in Pla Pak. When Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan served as Army Commander, he developed faith in the temple through his work in Nakhon Phanom Province twenty years earlier.

After Luang Pu's death on November 24, 2003, and through 2014, General Prawit convinced his military classmates from Class 17 to donate for the stupa's construction, raising 82 million baht to fund the Phra Maha Dhatu Chedi Khosamangkhalaram, establishing a spiritual center for Buddhists to pay homage and a pilgrimage destination.

On January 9, 2015, General Prawit laid the foundation stone with an initial budget of 400 million baht. The chedi resembles Bangkok's Wat Saket, stands 59 meters tall (matching Luang Pu's age), spans six levels with a central elevator, side staircases, and two 50-meter naga serpents coiling around its base.

Level 1 (top) enshrines the Buddha's relic, imported from Sri Lanka by the former abbot of Wat Bowonniwet, with seven Buddha chambers and deity shrines. Level 2 displays temple treasures, ancient Buddha statues from the Thonburi to Chakri eras, and historical artifacts. Level 3 houses a museum documenting Luang Pu Kham Phan's teachings and the chedi's history. Level 4 serves as a meditation hall with intricate Buddhist and Ramakien murals. Level 5 features the principal Buddha image and statues of renowned masters. Level 6 provides meditation space for visitors.

Construction, overseen by General Suchart Chomphutwip and General Prawit Wongsuwan as chief coordinator from design in 2014 through 2023, has reached 90 percent completion with 500 million baht spent. Though unfinished, Buddhist visitors from the region visit regularly on weekends and holy days. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 12:00–17:00, weekends and holidays 09:00–17:00 (since May 1, 2023).

The stupa features 199 external steps leading to the summit, offering a panoramic 180-degree vista—a breathtaking architectural marvel.

Following UNESCO's 48th ordinary World Heritage Committee meeting held in Busan, South Korea, with unanimous approval on July 25, 2025, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat was designated a cultural World Heritage Site. This marks Thailand's sixth cultural heritage site, ninth overall, and the first for Southern Thailand.

People of Nakhon Si Thammarat and across Thailand held a major celebration, with the provincial administration organizing a grand ceremony featuring nearly 1,000 Nora dancers performing ancient Nora movements. The event united a previously recognized UNESCO heritage—Nora, traditional southern Thai performing art—with Thailand's newest World Heritage designation.

Following the recitation of Buddhist chanting, the ceremony continued with nearly 1,000 Nora dancers performing twelve classical movements: Mae Lai (opening movement mimicking Thai crane grace), Rahu Catching the Moon (buffalo horn posture), Kinnaree (fairy-like undulating), Catching the Dance, Descending, Small Descent, Phala hand turn, Lotus Bud (closed hands), Lotus Bloom (fingers unfurling), Lotus Petal (continuous hand movements), Lotus Smile (partially opening petals), and Spider Weaving (alternating finger movements at chest level).

Nora is a southern Thai classical dance, particularly from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung, forming the sacred heritage that marked the temple's UNESCO World Heritage status as a treasure of all humanity.

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn covers 34.43 acres in rectangular form, surrounded by brick walls enclosing stupas centered on the main golden chedi. The complex features one large main stupa on a raised square base, four directional chedis at corners, and 120 smaller chedis arranged in three square tiers. The stupa's spire rises 10.89 meters, gilded with 800 measures (approximately 216 kilograms) of pure gold—the origin of Nakhon Si Thammarat's motto 'Golden Stupa.'

A key tradition linked to the temple is the Cloth Draping Festival, where townspeople collectively donate thousands of yards of fabric to ceremonially drape the main stupa on religious occasions—a custom unique to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Due to its historical, architectural, and cross-religious significance as a faith center across generations, Thailand nominated Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn for World Heritage status, achieving preliminary listing in 2013.

On August 8, 2025, Vorakorn, known as "Pop," age 37, the owner of two adjacent businesses—Thong Phan Bai Coffee Shop and Himmajong Khao Man Gai (Branch 2)—located on Somdet 700 Pi Road in Mae Hia, Chiang Mai, was shocked to find his shops completely destroyed. A pickup truck had smashed into the buildings, reducing the storefront, metal sliding doors, windows, walls, ceiling, coffee equipment, and display cases to rubble. The shop was left unable to operate, with damages estimated at over one million baht.

Police Lieutenant Thanapong Naphaswichaya, deputy investigator at Chiang Mai City Police Station, reported that officers responded to a call around 1:30 a.m. reporting a pickup truck collision. At the scene, they found a gray Ford pickup with severe front-end damage and blown tires. The driver, 48-year-old Bhatradanai, sustained minor injuries and was taken for questioning. Since the shop was unattended, officers towed the vehicle to the police station for examination.

Owner Vorakorn explained that after closing the shop, he had returned home to rest in the San Pak Wan subdistrict. When he arrived early the next morning to open, he discovered the catastrophic damage and was forced to close temporarily for extensive repairs.