The Department of Foreign Trade and the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Board jointly organized Thai Tapioca Nexus 2026: Connecting Thai Cassava to Global Trust on August 13, 2026 at Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok. The event was opened by Ekachat Seetworarat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Commerce, and drew over 300 domestic and international participants to build trade networks and elevate the Thai tapioca industry globally.

Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, emphasized that the event serves as a critical platform connecting government, private sector, SME entrepreneurs, experts, academics, and international business partners to exchange knowledge, technology, and innovation. She noted that modern trade partners value not only product quality but also standards, transparency, environmental responsibility, and supply chain reliability. Thailand has strong potential to develop high-value cassava products meeting global market demands through quality, confidence, and innovation—aligned with the Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to reduce carbon footprints and support Net Zero goals.

The Department aims to strengthen Thailand's tapioca industry under three pillars: Quality-Confidence-Innovation. The program includes academic seminars featuring leading experts on cassava starch, food industry applications, and sustainable business development, as well as international speakers sharing knowledge on breeding, smart farming, starch innovation, and sustainability to help Thai SMEs expand into foreign markets.

A cardiologist has issued urgent health warnings to HYROX participants following reports of a competitor experiencing cardiac arrest during the race. Social media page Ploy Talk shared images and a post describing a HYROX competitor receiving chest compressions and requiring hospital transfer.

Dr. Akkanit Srisukwattana, a cardiologist specializing in sports medicine, responded with detailed guidance on his page Akanis Srisukwattana. He noted that sudden cardiac arrest during competition occurs at a rate of 1 in 100,000 for the general population, but increases to approximately 1 in 5,000 for people aged 50 and above or those with pre-existing medical conditions.

While insufficient data exists to confirm whether HYROX carries higher mortality risk than running or other endurance sports, the discipline combines running with power endurance elements, causing heart rate and blood pressure to spike significantly—especially during high-resistance stations like sled push, sled pull, and burpee broad jumps, which place greater strain than standard running.

The doctor emphasized competing at the level of training completed, without forcing pace or intensity beyond individual capability, particularly for those with risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking history, or cardiovascular disease. During competition, competitors should avoid maximum effort at every station and maintain controlled breathing, especially at heavy stations, to allow the heart to recover before resuming running.

For at-risk individuals, exertion should generally be maintained at RPE 7/10—tired but still controllable, able to speak in short sentences. Intense effort at levels 8–9/10 may occur during racing but should not be sustained.

Immediate stopping and notification of event medical staff is required for these symptoms: chest tightness or pain, abnormal breathlessness relative to exertion, dizziness or blurred vision, fainting, irregular heartbeat, or cold sweating with impending loss of consciousness.

The doctor concluded by encouraging all participants to enjoy competition safely: at-risk groups should race at a sustainable level matching their training, undergo pre-race screening to assess personal risk factors, and plan participation appropriate to their physical condition.

PHUKET: Freedom Beach has been temporarily closed to visitors and swimming during the monsoon season after a German tourist was swept out to sea and later found dead at the Phuket beach.

At Wat Pa Adul Yaaram in Khon Kaen's Kangsadal community, Abbot Phra Kru Adul Saranit confirmed on August 14 that he has told his family not to worry. Police are monitoring the temple's security, and when officers are not present, temple attendants provide close supervision. The abbot is taking personal safety precautions carefully and requires temple staff to accompany any family visitors. He will not travel alone to accept external religious invitations. He recounted an incident when a woman knocked on his door at 4 a.m., which he did not answer, explaining that he is more concerned about blackmail and reputational damage than physical harm. The abbot stated he is not afraid and will not leave the temple.

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Thailand will continue to experience heavy rain in some areas over the next 24 hours, with very heavy rain forecast for parts of the East, according to the Meteorological Department.

The department said that a monsoon trough is extending across Myanmar, upper Laos and upper Vietnam, while a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Residents in affected areas have been warned to watch out for the dangers posed by heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways and in low-lying areas. Rivers may also overflow in parts of the Northeast.

Winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea will be relatively strong, with waves reaching 2-3 metres and rising above 3 metres in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

The Meteorological Department advised boat operators to exercise caution and avoid areas experiencing thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore.

Weather forecast from 07:00 on 14 August to 07:00 on 15 August

North: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Nan and Tak. Temperatures will range from 22-28°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.

Northeast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan. Temperatures will range from 24-26°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Saraburi and Kanchanaburi. Temperatures will range from 24-27°C, with highs of 34-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-25km/h.

East: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi, and very heavy rain possible in Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24-28°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be around 2 metres, rising above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

South, east coast: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C, with highs of 31-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be 1-2 metres offshore, around 2 metres farther from the coast and above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

South, west coast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Ranong and Phang Nga. Temperatures will range from 23-27°C, with highs of 31-36°C.

From Phang Nga northwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 20-40km/h, with waves of 2-3 metres and waves above 3 metres during thunderstorms.

From Phuket southwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 15-35km/h, with waves of 1-2 metres and waves above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

A loud explosion-like sound shook the sky across multiple districts in Rayong province on August 13 at around 4:30 p.m., causing widespread alarm. Residents heard what sounded like a large blast that was audible across a radius of tens of kilometers, strong enough to frighten pets into running away from homes. However, preliminary investigation found no abnormalities in the sky, no smoke or unusual formations, and no chemical smell.

Tat Phong, a resident of Thap Ma subdistrict in Muang Rayong district, said he heard the explosive sound while running errands at Thap Ma market. He was confident it was not thunder and looked for the source but found nothing unusual in the sky. Wannachit, a barber in Nong La Loke subdistrict of Ban Kaai district, initially thought it was a vehicle tire explosion while cutting a customer's hair. Sophatthorn, a shopkeeper in Nong La Loke subdistrict, said the blast startled her greatly and she also thought it was a tire explosion, given that her shop sits near the Ban Kaai-Nikhom Phatthana road.

The mystery blast was heard across almost every district in Rayong, creating confusion and concern among residents about its cause. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident further.