The government is capitalizing on Thai culinary appeal by launching the Lost Taste project to revive 231 endangered regional food dishes and generate cultural and tourism value, following Thailand's ranking as the seventh-best food destination globally by Brand Finance's 2026 Global Soft Power Index. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Pherisivivattana announced on August 12 that the government is advancing cultural capital and Thai food appeal as drivers of economic and tourism growth, reflecting the worldwide popularity and potential of Thai cuisine. The Culture Ministry's Lost Taste project, conceived under The Living Heritage framework, preserves and revives regional food heritage at risk of disappearing while creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities through culinary and cultural tourism experiences. The initiative aims to help Thais and tourists discover the diversity of local cuisine across different regions while adding value to local economies. The Department of Cultural Promotion has developed the Thailand Best Local Food standard using input from seven experts and feedback from over 400 consumers, emphasizing cultural roots, local ingredients, and menu authenticity. The certification is divided into two categories: Classic for dishes that preserve traditional recipes and identity, and Creative Plus Innovation for contemporary interpretations that maintain the essence and value of local food. Five model restaurants have been selected to transmit regional food heritage through menus and dining experiences, with special Lost Taste courses planned for September and documentary series about the five restaurants to encourage culinary tourism. Thailand also ranks twelfth globally in attractiveness as a destination according to Brand Finance's 2026 index, up two spots from 2025, highlighting opportunities to link food and culture into travel experiences, offer tourists more choices, distribute spending to local areas, and generate income for communities. The government emphasized that preserving local cuisine must go beyond documenting recipes—it requires people to cook the dishes, eat them, travel to experience them, and earn income from them, ensuring these culinary traditions remain alive and transmissible to future generations.

A man suffering from severe facial swelling and pain has appealed for help after social media users accused him of using AI to fake his condition, while a doctor said there is no strong evidence that tooth-picking causes oral cancer.

On 9 August 2026, a Facebook user known as Mes, Little Prince posted about a 31-year-old man he had helped after finding him with severe swelling on the left side of his face. The man, identified as P'Poo, reportedly lives with his partner in a small room in an unspecified province.

In his post, Mes quoted the man as saying: "Toothpick – tooth decay. It hurts terribly. I don't know how much longer I can live. If you come to see me next time, you might not find me here anymore." The man also said that after he posted photographs seeking help online, some people accused him of editing the images or using AI to deceive others. "I don't know what to do," he said.

According to Mes, the man's problems initially began with tooth decay. Food became trapped around the affected tooth, prompting him to repeatedly use toothpicks to remove it. The area subsequently became inflamed, and a large growth developed on the left side of his face. Mes provided the man with some financial assistance for his immediate living expenses.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Aon Chatraphon later posted a video explaining the case and addressing claims that frequent tooth-picking could cause cancer. He said he suspected that the man could have oral mucosal cancer that had spread towards the tooth roots, based on the appearance of the condition. However, he stressed that the diagnosis could not be confirmed without pathology results.

"We still don't know the pathology results of this case. We don't know what type of cancer it is, whether it originated from the tooth or from inside the mouth," he said.

Dr. Aon said there was no strong scientific evidence showing that tooth-picking directly causes oral cancer. He explained that the main recognised risk factors for oral cancer include alcohol consumption, smoking and HPV infection, while poor dental and oral hygiene can also contribute to oral health problems associated with cancer. He said the man's tooth-picking habit and the development of the growth could have occurred at the same time without one necessarily causing the other.

"This could be a coincidence," he said, explaining that the cancer may already have been developing while the man was frequently using toothpicks, leading him to believe the two were directly connected.

Dr. Aon warned that claiming tooth-picking causes cancer could create unnecessary alarm and spread misinformation. "The chance of developing oral cancer from tooth-picking is extremely low. There is also no evidence showing that picking at a tooth causes this type of cancer," he said.

Dr. Aon urged the man to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, noting that the growth had become very large and appeared to be considerably advanced. He also expressed his support for the man.

BURIRAM — On 11 August 2026, authorities investigated a suspicious object resembling a bomb after local residents in Ban Lam Nang Rong, Lam Nang Rong subdistrict, Non Din Daeng district, Buriram province, discovered it lodged in a tree inside Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary on 10 August. Residents alerted officials, prompting the Second Army Region to order the military unit responsible for the area to inspect, identify, and assess the situation.

The inspection identified the object as a 105mm TK-M490A1 anti-tank explosive round. Following identification, the Second Army Region instructed the local task force to cordon off the surrounding area to prevent residents and unauthorised people from approaching the explosive and risking injury.

Authorities coordinated with the Buriram Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to safely remove the munition. On 11 August, the Buriram EOD team completed the recovery operation successfully following established safety procedures. Military personnel maintained assigned procedures throughout until the situation was brought under control.

Arthit Samphantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior and president of the Political Science alumni association at Chulalongkorn University, announced on August 12 an invitation to current and former students to attend "Black Lion Reunion 2025: 79 Years of Honor and Bonds" on August 22 at the Faculty of Political Science. The day's schedule includes registration and breakfast at 8:00 a.m., a merit-making ceremony at 8:30 a.m., and an awards presentation at 10:30 a.m. honoring five outstanding alumni for 2025.

The five recipients of the Distinguished Political Science Alumni Award for 2025 were selected for their integrity, professional success, good conduct, and service to society. Four honorees work in government service: Piriya Chantadilok (Class 39), Governor of Trat Province; Nikrodet Plaengkur (Class 41), Thai Ambassador to France; Arochaya Nanthamontri (Class 42), Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province; and Siam Sirimongkol (Class 45), Director-General of the Department of Community Development. One honoree represents academia: Professor Chantana Banphisirichot Wanhkaew (Class 29), Professor Emeritus at Chulalongkorn University.

Artthit expressed his congratulations to all five recipients and invited alumni to join in celebrating their achievements and strengthening the bonds of the Black Lion community.

The Thai government has announced success in resolving hotel licensing issues affecting nearly 300 properties in Phuket, with plans to complete all outstanding cases by September this year. Deputy Government Spokesman Ploypailin Luksameelang revealed on August 12 that the Interior Ministry and related agencies have processed 392 hotel licensing applications pending since 2016, successfully issuing licenses to 275 properties so far. The remaining 117 cases are expected to be resolved by the end of September, representing substantial progress compared to the previous pace of only 30-40 licenses per year—over 75% of the backlog has been cleared in just two months of focused effort.

Beyond issuing licenses, the government has collected data on legal and regulatory barriers facing prospective hoteliers in Phuket and plans to amend laws and regulations to remove unnecessary obstacles fairly. The government prioritizes safety above all else and aims to bring all operators into the formal system without demanding bribes, while enforcing laws strictly. Several cases involving unlicensed operations are already under police investigation, with additional cases in the evidence-gathering phase for further prosecution. Officials have confirmed that no violations will be overlooked, and legal action will be taken decisively against all breaches.

Thailand is expected to see thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rain in several areas on 12 August, with authorities warning residents to watch out for flash floods and runoff from accumulated rainfall.

The Meteorological Department said the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions could experience isolated heavy rain over the next 24 hours, as a monsoon trough lies across upper northern Thailand, upper Laos and the upper Northeast.

Meanwhile, a relatively strong southwest monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Residents in affected areas have been advised to remain alert for hazards from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways and in low-lying areas.

The upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand are also expected to experience relatively strong winds, with waves reaching 2-3 metres. Waves could exceed 3 metres in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

The department advised boat operators to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand should remain ashore.

The forecast is valid from 06:00 on 12 August to 06:00 on 13 August.

North: Thunderstorms are forecast across 70% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak and Phetchabun. Temperatures will range from 22-27°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will reach 10-20 km/h.

Northeast: Thunderstorms are expected across 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. Temperatures will range from 23-25°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will reach 10-20 km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms are forecast across 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. Temperatures will range from 24-26°C, with highs of 32-34°C. Southwesterly winds will reach 10-25 km/h.

East: Thunderstorms are forecast across 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24-27°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will reach 20-40 km/h. Waves are expected to reach 2-3 metres, rising above 3 metres in areas with thunderstorms.

South—east coast: Thunderstorms are forecast across 40% of the area, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 23-25°C, with highs of 32-36°C. Southwesterly winds will reach 20-35 km/h. Waves will be 1-2 metres offshore and could exceed 2 metres in areas with thunderstorms.

South—west coast: Thunderstorms are forecast across 40% of the area, mainly in Ranong, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Temperatures will range from 24-28°C, with highs of 31-35°C. From Phang Nga northwards, southwesterly winds will reach 20-40 km/h.