The Commerce Ministry's Permanent Secretary Office is hosting Thailand Local SDGs Plus Expo 2026, bringing together more than 200 promising entrepreneurs nationwide. The expo offers a comprehensive marketplace featuring product displays and sales, business matching sessions, design and innovation clinics, and memoranda of understanding signed between private sector partners to connect Thai entrepreneurs with new trade opportunities. The public is invited to participate in "value-conscious shopping" from August 21–23, 2026 at Hall 7, Level LG of Sirikit Convention Center. The opening ceremony was presided over by Banjangjit Angsusingha, adviser to the Commerce Minister, alongside Deputy Permanent Secretary Chakra Yodmani and other government and business representatives.

The Commerce Minister's adviser revealed that the Commerce Ministry is driving economic and trade policy under the "MOC+" vision, aiming to upgrade business capabilities across all 76 provinces so they can produce goods aligned with modern trade trends and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ministry recognizes that today's consumers consider not only price and quality but also environmental and social impact. The ministry is therefore building awareness and supporting entrepreneurs to apply sustainability concepts to their operations, turning challenges into opportunities, improving competitiveness, and promoting Thai products in new domestic and international markets. The ministry is also gathering and disseminating SDGs product information and fostering private sector cooperation to expand market channels and build consumer confidence.

Supporting Thai-made products produced with environmental and social responsibility strengthens the grassroots economy and demonstrates the capability of Thai entrepreneurs to compete in the global eco-friendly market. A key goal of the expo is to elevate it beyond a mere sales venue into a "business opportunity zone" where entrepreneurs can develop their capabilities, build networks, and access new markets through business matching activities connecting local producers with department stores, hotels, buyers, and trading partners domestically and internationally, targeting economic value creation of at least 500 million baht. The Design & Innovation Clinic allows entrepreneurs to receive expert advice on product development, packaging, branding, and value addition to strengthen competitiveness and create long-term market opportunities.

Another highlight is the signing of private sector cooperation memoranda witnessed by the ceremony president and deputy permanent secretary, reflecting concrete business linkages formed at the expo and representing a major step in building networks and new opportunities for entrepreneurs from Bangkok and other regions including Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, and Maha Sarakham. The expo also features a special exhibition "Thai Wisdom Toward Sustainable Fashion," showcasing the vision of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.

At the Don Yai Thong archaeological excavation site in Ban Don Phlap, Samot Phraeao subdistrict, Ban Lad district, Phetchaburi province, archaeologists from the Fine Arts Department's Ratchaburi office coordinated with conservation science personnel to relocate ancient human skeletal remains estimated to be 1,500–2,000 years old. Using a 10-ton crane, officials lifted two sets of support bases containing a total of seven skeletons: set one holding skeletons numbered 5–8 (four skeletons) and set two holding skeletons numbered 9–11 (three skeletons). Each base measured approximately 1 meter wide and 2.5 meters long, weighing 1.2–1.5 tons.

Before extraction, conservation staff excavated soil around each skeleton on all four sides in a rectangular pattern and covered the remains with acid-free paper. The skeletons were then sprayed with distilled water at intervals and sealed with aluminum foil sheets to prevent chemical contamination. Polyurethane foam was injected into the gaps to protect both the skeletal remains and the supporting soil layer from damage. The remains were scheduled to be transported to the Science Conservation Center in Khlong Ha subdistrict, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, on the morning of August 22, 2026.

A minibus carrying 13 Laotian passengers collided with a three-wheeled vehicle (tuk-tuk) on Friendship Road in Udon Thani city on August 21, leaving two elderly occupants injured. The minibus driver, Tosaporn Phochernsri, 37, from Bangkok, reported that after picking up Laotian passengers at the Thai-Laos Friendship Gate in Nong Khai and completing passport procedures, he was heading to Bangkok when he spotted the tuk-tuk suddenly changing lanes. Despite attempting to brake, he could not stop in time. The Bangkok-registered minibus had brake marks over 50 meters long at the impact site. CCTV footage showed the minibus traveling at 80-99 kilometers per hour in the rightmost lane when the tuk-tuk, initially in the middle lane, shifted into its path. Police suspect the tuk-tuk driver was attempting to reach a U-turn point ahead but are awaiting full investigation results. The minibus carried 14 people including the driver; most passengers sustained only minor injuries from shock. The tuk-tuk, which could not be legally registered for commercial transport use, had no insurance. Nearby motorcycle repair shop owner Atit, 43, witnessed the collision as the tuk-tuk crashed into an area in front of his shop. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage, witness statements, and interviewing both drivers to determine the exact cause.

On August 21, monks at Wat Pa Adul Yaram in Khon Kaen's Muang District conducted evening chanting, attended by local Buddhist lay followers. Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit, the temple's abbot, addressed the situation by explaining that temple establishment is complete because it followed proper monastic legal procedures and received official announcement in the Royal Gazette. He urged skeptics to study the law and temple establishment process, comparing the completion to a marriage certificate—once filed and announced, the matter is concluded. Some documents from 30 years ago may be lost to time, but the official announcement in the Royal Gazette is final. He also humorously remarked that some matters must remain confidential, like a James Bond film.

Regarding the 10 million baht rumor, Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit firmly denied that anyone had called offering money and urged the public not to believe false rumors, stating that even if someone offered hundreds of millions or billions of baht, he would not leave the temple. He asked people not to believe the money rumors, saying "no one called, and whether it's hundreds of millions or billions, we will not go. We will stay here."

Meanwhile, Saengdao Chantavichai, 76, a temple lay leader, clarified accusations that the temple was dividing land among committee members. He confirmed that all temple officials volunteered without expecting personal benefit, seeking only to preserve the temple and its traditions. He expressed concern for the abbot's safety following ongoing disturbances. The temple currently has five lay leaders of varying ages, with the most senior over 80 years old. Saengdao stated that the land in question is vacant and any descendants' legal claims would be without merit. He also noted that disturbances have occurred since 1992, and if one entrance is blocked, they may try another.

On August 21 at 9 p.m., a motorcycle accident occurred when a rider lost control and plunged into a water pipe trench approximately 3 meters deep near the Ban Moh Subdistrict Cultural Center in Muang District, Phetchaburi Province. The injured man, 41-year-old Chitpong, sustained severe injuries including a fractured leg and multiple wounds. Ban Moh Subdistrict rescue workers and Sawang Saraphetch Foundation volunteers responded to the scene, finding the motorcycle covered in mud at the bottom of the pit. Rescue operations were difficult due to the narrow, slippery, and deep conditions of the site. It took approximately 15 minutes to safely extract the injured man and transport him to Phrachomklao Hospital in Phetchaburi. A witness who followed the injured rider explained that the motorcycle likely swerved to avoid an oncoming car on a muddy road that had been rained on, causing it to fall into the deep trench. The witness noted that the construction area lacked adequate lighting and warning signs were unclear, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution. The witness urged relevant authorities to strictly oversee safety measures in the area.

Not Panuthvach Nakvisut, chief executive of Thai Mart Marketplace, has detailed the platform's growth strategy and commitment to developing Thai brands through a smartphone app designed for real-time vendor-customer communication. Originally, merchants managed orders and alerts via computer, but the shift to mobile-first usage prompted the app development.

Nakvisut believes Thai entrepreneurs have high skill and capability but lack marketing and branding expertise, typically becoming subcontractors rather than brand owners. Thai Mart invites them to build their own brands for sustainable long-term growth. The platform operates on three core principles: fairness to both buyers and sellers with transparent, fixed commission rates that don't change daily or monthly; active listening and improvement, with the owner personally responding to social media comments; and authenticity, with strict counterfeit removal to guarantee genuine products.

Thai Mart will not compete on price cuts or discount codes against major platforms, arguing that price wars force platforms to increase fees on merchants, who then raise product prices, ultimately burdening consumers in a cycle of problems. Instead, the platform builds trust through value and quality, generating revenue from alternative channels like payment gateways and ancillary services within a broader business ecosystem.

Future plans include digital marketing across all social media platforms and recruiting young-generation presenters to drive engagement and expand the user base across all age groups. The platform is open to foreign capital and international brands provided they meet quality standards, pay taxes correctly, and compete under the same rules.