On August 19, Air Vice Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Information Centre, responded to claims made by a Hengfang Hotel owner who brought Chinese embassy officials to the area demanding Thailand return all property to Chinese investors in Cambodia. Sonjaidee said he wanted to clarify that investors, the Chinese government, and border facts are three separate issues that should not be conflated. While individuals have the right to petition their embassy for assistance, personal claims that Thailand has invaded or stolen property do not make those claims factual, he said.

Sonjaidee emphasized that current Thai military deployment follows a joint statement issued on December 27, 2024, requiring both sides to maintain their positions along an agreed troop deployment line without advancing. Thai forces are upholding this agreement, not engaging in invasion or territorial seizure as some have alleged. He stressed that border disputes must be resolved through bilateral mechanisms using documents, coordinates, and evidence—not through interviews, videos, or social media posts.

Property disputes must be separated from military deployment matters and resolved through proper legal channels and interstate processes, Sonjaidee added. He cautioned against assuming that Chinese diplomatic officials visiting the area means the Chinese government endorses the investor's allegations. Thailand values its relationship with China and believes China understands that disputes between countries must be resolved through facts and proper mechanisms, not accusations. "Investors have the right to make claims, but no one has the right to turn allegations into fact or change borders through social media," Sonjaidee said. "Thailand is not advancing, we are maintaining our positions under agreement, and we will not abandon our duty to protect Thai sovereignty," he concluded, adding that Thailand is ready to present factual evidence if false claims of invasion or theft are spread.

Thailand formally opened the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres Conference 2026 (ASPAC Conference 2026) on August 19, 2026, hosted by the National Science Museum under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The four-day conference runs through August 22, 2026, at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Muang Thong Thani, alongside the National Science and Technology Festival. Deputy Minister Supachai Pathumnakul presided over the opening ceremony, joined by NSM Acting Director Suwrong Wongsiree, National Research Council Deputy Director Sirinporn Diewtrakoorn, and international science centre representatives.

Deputy Minister Pathumnakul outlined the ministry's policy to strengthen Thailand's competitive capacity while promoting lifelong learning. He explained that hosting ASPAC 2026 alongside the science festival demonstrates Thailand's strategic readiness to serve as an international hub for science learning resources. The conference theme, "Museums Empowering Futures: Science Engagement in the Age of Uncertainty," emphasizes that modern museums must become proactive spaces connecting science to society and preparing citizens and young people for an uncertain future.

Acting NSM Director Wongsiree noted that Thailand has been honoured to host this international conference, which brings together museum leaders and practitioners to exchange experiences, showcase modern science communication innovations, and build future collaborations. National Research Council Deputy Director Diewtrakoorn highlighted the importance of science communication and public engagement in times of change, describing science museums as bridges linking cutting-edge research to the public and helping develop scientific literacy across the Asia-Pacific region.

On August 19, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Special Investigation Department headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Police Major General Kamrop Pannyakaew and a group of reserve senators, along with senate candidates, arrived to press for expedited processing of the vote-buying case to prosecutors. Police Colonel Voranan Srilum, director of the Consumer Protection Division and spokesman for the department, received their petition.

Kamrop revealed he came to follow up on the department's progress after learning that investigators had completed and filed charges against eight people linked to the vote-buying scheme. However, prosecutors returned the case for further investigation, and Justice Minister Ruthapon Naorat has repeatedly stated that the Special Investigation Department must wait for the Election Commission's inquiry panel to finish before proceeding—a position Kamrop and his group view as unnecessary, arguing the two investigations can proceed in parallel.

Police Colonel Voranan confirmed that investigators have been pressing forward throughout. The prosecutors' request for additional witness questioning has been completed. The case cannot proceed to prosecutors until the Election Commission's findings arrive to be attached to the file.

Today, the reserve senators' group also requested that investigators look into additional points to ensure fairness. The department will instruct officials to verify the facts involved. There is currently no set timeline, but if the Election Commission's findings arrive as expected by late August 2025, the investigators will compile all available evidence with those findings and submit the complete file to prosecutors for further action.

Chiang Mai — On 19 August 2026, a gas truck overturned and burst into flames on the Chiang Mai-Lampang road on Wednesday, prompting police to completely shut the inbound Superhighway and divert traffic along a railway-side road.

At 11:30, Chiang Mai Provincial Police radio centre received a report that a gas truck had overturned and sparks had triggered explosions and a major fire near Chiang Mai Beverage in Saraphi district, on the inbound side toward Chiang Mai city.

Police at Saraphi Police Station and relevant agencies were alerted, while fire trucks from the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation and nearby municipal authorities were dispatched to the scene.

The truck was found engulfed in flames, with explosions occurring intermittently. Authorities cleared the area and completely closed the inbound Superhighway to prevent vehicles from approaching the danger zone.

Traffic heading into Chiang Mai was diverted to a road running alongside the railway. Firefighters deployed multiple fire engines and chemical extinguishing agents to contain the blaze.

The fire was brought under control after about one hour.

No injuries had been reported in an initial assessment, while officials were continuing to inspect the scene and determine the circumstances of the crash.

Local residents said accidents frequently occur in the area. They also noted that it had been raining at the time, raising the possibility that the truck lost control on the slippery road before overturning. Sparks then reportedly triggered the fire.

Authorities are continuing their investigation.

Creating experiences that connect with the lifestyle and interests of young people has become a key challenge for retail brands in an era when consumers seek more than just products—they want fun, participation, and genuine brand connection.

CJ MORE, a Thai retail brand committed to enhancing community lifestyle, has partnered with the popular page Thaep Leela to continue the fun in the "Kham Tong Chuam Campus Tournament" campaign. The brand held an on-ground activation event at Thai Chamber of Commerce University, marking the fourth stop of its campus tour to create close experiences with Gen New and reinforce the brand's image among younger audiences.

The event was lively throughout the day from 10:00 to 16:00, with continuous participation from students and young people enjoying multiple activity zones set up by CJ MORE and Thaep Leela, transforming the space into a hub of fun and engagement through experiential marketing that easily resonates with young lifestyles. The event drew strong interest from both students at Thai Chamber of Commerce University and teenagers from other educational institutions across Bangkok who came to add vibrant energy to the occasion.

One popular highlight was the CJ MORE Photo Booth, a free photo check-in point that allowed students to capture memorable moments and share them on social media, including Instagram and TikTok, naturally amplifying brand awareness through user-generated content. Meanwhile, young audiences enjoyed Nine Beauty x Bird Eye View, where simply following the Nine Beauty Facebook page allowed them to randomly pick exclusive fortune envelopes from renowned fortune teller Bird Eye View and receive free facial care cream to take home.

Another eye-catching zone was the UNO Zone, where participants who followed the UNO TikTok account received free cute lifestyle products from the UNO brand, limited to 200 pieces per day. The zone was so popular that the queue filled up quickly, reflecting the power of creating engagement through activities aligned with young people's interests and behaviors.

Beyond the vibrant activities, what stood out was that most event participants were already members of the CJ Credit Card, reflecting strong brand loyalty and familiarity with CJ MORE woven into students' daily lives. This was especially true for the CJ MORE location behind Thai Chamber of Commerce University, situated less than 500 meters from the campus in the student dormitory area, making it a natural "destination center" that meets students' lifestyle needs—from convenient drink purchases under attractive promotions to skincare and cosmetic products from the Nine Beauty zone.

The success of "Kham Tong Chuam Campus Tournament" not only reflects young people's response to fun-creating activities but also proves CJ MORE's commitment to connecting the brand with consumers through real experiences. As CJ MORE enters its 21st year, the brand continues to advance its vision of "growing together, every day, complete, right, and worth it," while developing modern, diverse store models and services that meet customer needs through partnerships with leading brands. CJ MORE currently operates over 2,000 locations across more than 60 provinces nationwide and remains committed to retail excellence.

The Miss Thailand Beautiful pageant, one of Thailand's longest-running beauty competitions, continues this year to find outstanding contestants. Organized under the direction of Sineenarot Engtrakolab, this is the 11th year her family has managed the competition, which remains committed to preserving Thai identity and culture. The 2025 edition adopts a nostalgic theme called "Lanna Charm," reflecting the pageant's early years. The winner receives 500,000 baht in cash and a diamond crown, with additional runner-up and special category prizes bringing total prize money to over 2 million baht. All 30 finalists receive monetary rewards and the chance to participate in social activities with major sponsors including Thai Insurance, ThaiBev, and Energy Absolute. Eligible contestants aged 17-28 can apply online via the Miss Thailand Beautiful Facebook page until September 3, 2025. The pageant finale will be held on Monday, September 21, 2025, at the ESC Park Hotel in Rangsit.