Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a keynote address at the Indonesia-Thailand Business Forum held this morning at Fairmont Jakarta, titled "Advancing the Indonesia–Thailand Strategic Partnership: Building Integrated Value Chains in Industry, Services, and Halal Economy." The forum was organized by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia in partnership with Kadin Indonesia, with participation from Indonesian Commerce Minister Budi Santoso, presidential special envoy Hasim Djojohadikusumo, Thai Chamber of Commerce President Poj Aramwattananont, Bangkok Bank chairman Chatsiri Sophonpanich, and approximately 300 government, private sector, and media representatives.

Anutin proposed elevating Thailand-Indonesia relations from "trading partners" to "co-builders" by linking production, investment, technology, and innovation to create strong value chains and expand economic opportunities across ASEAN. He emphasized that Thailand should serve as a regional manufacturing hub while Indonesia functions as a major market and maritime economic gateway. Following discussions with President Prabowo Subianto, both sides agreed to create concrete opportunities for citizens, business operators, and investors.

With global economic volatility, Anutin stressed that deeper ASEAN economic integration is "not an option but a necessity," with Thailand and Indonesia as key drivers. He noted current bilateral trade reaches nearly $20 billion with a target of $23 billion, and combined populations exceed 350 million. The Prime Minister proposed four strategic cooperation pillars: (1) Food security and halal development of comprehensive halal value chains; (2) Logistics, transport, and digital services including new Bangkok-Jakarta and Phuket-Bali air routes and Thai Lion Air expansion; (3) Finance and digital economy, connecting PromptPay and QRIS payment systems; and (4) Energy and green economy for clean energy and future industries like EV, AI, and data centers.

Anutin concluded that success should be measured not by trade figures alone but by jointly built industries, connected supply chains, and a more competitive ASEAN.

Thai actress Ama Tao (Usa Samakham) appeared at the premiere of "Dear You: A Love Letter to Mom" just one month after undergoing spinal fusion surgery, impressing fans both in Thailand and abroad with her determination. Although her doctor advised complete recovery would take three months, she attended the film launch at SF World Cinema to appeal to Thai audiences for support in reaching ten-figure box office revenue—matching Chinese market performance. "Please help us," she urged fans. "Don't let Thailand lose to other countries. China has earned so much already, but for Thailand, I just hope we can at least match China's numbers."

When asked about her health, Ama disclosed that she currently injects medication into her abdomen daily for the next six months to strengthen her weakened bones, and must observe strict precautions: no bending, no lifting heavy objects, and no falling, given her severe osteoporosis. Her doctors installed four titanium rods in her spine to stabilize the collapsed vertebrae. "It's taken some mental adjustment to self-inject daily, like a diabetic patient," she explained, "but I'm committed to following doctors' orders."

The actress expressed deep pride and gratitude that at 80 years old, she can still contribute meaningfully to cinema and bring joy to audiences. "Dear You" marks only her second major film role—her first was "Grandma's Grandson"—though she has appeared in various smaller television series. When asked if this represents the peak of her acting career, she reflected, "I don't know how far my body can carry me at this age, especially with my recent spine surgery. But if there are roles, I'll take them. I'm grateful that even at my age, I can still be useful."

Sansiri is aggressively targeting the young family market by partnering with PASS Education, experts in child learning and development and owners of Thailand's number-one bestselling illustrated storybook series "Pong Pang–Ping Ping." The company has launched a campaign communicating the concept of "home" as a space for learning and developing life skills in children aged 0-6 years, addressing insights from modern parents who view buying a home as a long-term investment in their children's futures. The initiative pairs this messaging with promotional discounts on single houses, townhomes, and condominiums of up to 2 million baht.

Today's young families purchasing homes consider far more than just usable space or room count. They prioritize environments that promote learning, skill development, and quality of life for all family members, especially during the critical 0-6 year developmental period. Based on consumer behavior research, Sansiri has identified three essential housing components for families with young children: safe spaces that encourage learning (Space to Grow, Safe to Explore), community and green areas that foster collaborative learning (Neighbour & Green Community), and location that reduces travel time and increases family quality time (Time & Location).

Sansiri believes modern home design must transcend traditional residential planning and instead create living experiences that enable children to learn from their surroundings—their home, nature, people, and community—fostering long-term child development. Acting on this vision, Sansiri collaborated with PASS Education to develop two illustrated storybooks: "Pong Pang Visits Aom House," which conveys learning through single houses, green gardens, playgrounds, and living harmoniously with nature while promoting sharing and reducing food waste, and "Zub! Zub! Ping Ping," which portrays condominium living through lessons on manners, shared spaces, and community rules to instill social coexistence.

Sriamapai Rattanmayur, head of marketing at Sansiri, noted that modern parents are not simply choosing homes for shelter—they are investing in their family's future, recognizing that every element of a home, from interior spaces to green areas to neighbors to location, impacts child development at every stage. The challenge for today's real estate developers extends beyond building quality homes or striking designs; they must create living experiences that allow children to learn, explore the world, and spend quality time with family. Children learn more from what they observe and experience in daily life than from the house itself. The partnership with PASS Education amplifies this philosophy through the beloved "Pong Pang–Ping Ping" series, helping parents recognize that their child's learning can begin with small moments at home and connecting the brand's vision to consumers through media familiar to children and families.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has released first-half 2025 results of its nationwide sweep against illegal tour companies, unlicensed guides, and fake operators, as it pushes to elevate service standards to international levels. Tourism Authority Director Jaturont Phakdiwanich revealed that during the first six months of 2025, the department intensified inspections of tour companies and guides operating outside the law to tackle illegal tour and guide practices seriously. Fieldwork enforcement covered 3,187 tour operators and guides nationwide, aiming to build traveler confidence, safety, and service quality.

Of 1,962 tour companies inspected, 68 were found in breach of law. The three main violations were: 1) Operating a tour business without a license (illegal tours), 2) Failing to meet requirements under Section 17(1) of the Tour Business and Guide Act, which mandates that at least 51% of company capital must be owned by Thai nationals and more than half of board members must be Thai citizens, and 3) Failing to provide a licensed guide with tourists. Among 1,225 guides inspected, 129 committed violations, with the top three being: 1) Not wearing a mandatory guide identification card, 2) Lacking or not presenting a job order, and 3) Practicing as a guide without authorization.

Jaturont said that for the second half of the year, officials will enforce laws strictly and continuously to prevent tourist exploitation and raise Thailand's tourism service standards to international recognition. He called on tour operators and guides to comply rigorously with the law, particularly ensuring current or renewed tour operator licenses and always providing licensed guides on tours. Guides should check their license expiration dates and can renew up to 120 days in advance. The Tourism Authority thanked the public, travelers, and businesses for reporting violations through its Facebook page or email addresses tgtcenter@tourism.go.th and DOT-TGIS@tourism.go.th, which has helped staff conduct efficient inspections and law enforcement.

PHUKET: A leading Phuket hotel representative has accused Bangkok of failing to close legal loopholes that have left thousands of small accommodation operators unable to obtain hotel licences, saying years of inspections, enforcement campaigns and registration drives have failed because the system itself remains unable to bring them into legality.

PHUKET: A 41-year-old British tourist was found dead in his hotel room in Patong yesterday (Aug 3), with police awaiting post-mortem results to determine the cause of death.