Thailand Mobilizes Eastern Region Against Floods and Drought

Thailand's eastern region is mobilizing eight provinces with coordinated defenses against flooding and drought, establishing monitoring systems, emergency response plans, and evacuation shelters under the Natural Resources and Environment M

4 Aug Khaosod

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered eight eastern provinces to prepare comprehensive defenses against both flooding and drought threats. At a meeting on August 4, 2025, Suchat chaired the first session of the Eastern Region Committee for Flood and Drought Prevention and Management to implement Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy directing all agencies to take proactive measures, integrate efforts across sectors, and minimize impact on residents.

Suchat revealed that the committee has established coordinated working guidelines across eight eastern provinces: Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri, Sa Kaew, and Nakhon Nayok. All agencies must strengthen monitoring systems, develop warning alert infrastructure, ready equipment and personnel, prepare emergency response plans, establish command centers, and set up evacuation shelters to enable rapid assistance to the public when emergencies occur.

Regarding drought management, the minister emphasized integrated water resource management for both short and long-term periods, close situation tracking, and prioritizing provision of drinking water and household water supplies to residents. The committee will also survey damages and provide assistance according to government regulations. All operations must align with the prime minister's directives, with each province required to maintain full personnel readiness, equipment availability, and operational plans to respond immediately to any crisis and reduce losses while maintaining public confidence. The first committee meeting follows the prime minister's recent appointment of regional flood and drought prevention committees, with the next progress review meeting scheduled for August 10, 2025.

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Breaking

Pop Mart Opens First Bakery With Labubu Character Treats

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy maker behind the Labubu character, has opened its first international bakery in Singapore, offering 45 dessert items featuring its collectible characters. The company plans further expansion across Southeast Asia a

4 Aug Khaosod

Pop Mart, the Beijing-based collectible toy maker behind the wildly popular Labubu character with its distinctive sharp-toothed smile, is venturing into the bakery business with its first international location in Singapore. The company has transformed its famous characters into three-dimensional edible desserts, including Labubu black sesame ice cream bars and Molly double cheesecake, available at a two-story bakery opposite Universal Studios Singapore. The store offers 45 menu items inspired by its toys, priced from 5-32 Singapore dollars (130-830 baht).

Singapore marks the beginning of Pop Mart's bakery expansion strategy. Zhang Xiaoyun, head of Pop Bakery, said the company is considering opening locations in Europe and the United States, depending on timing and supply chain management in each country. The company also plans to expand across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

This expansion follows Pop Mart's first bakery opening in Qinghuangdao in northern China last April, after testing the concept through over 30 pop-up dessert carts across China. The move comes as the company faces rising production costs and analyst questions about business sustainability, with recent quarterly sales and profits growing below market expectations.

Laura Pan, a professor at SDA Bocconi School of Management, noted that Pop Bakery serves as an excellent diversification tool, as the toy business has natural growth limitations. However, she cautioned that the popularity of Labubu has begun to wane, and consumer reception in the U.S. market remains uncertain.

Following global success with plush toys, keychains, and collectibles, Pop Mart is pursuing expansion beyond toy retail. The company has stated its ambition to follow Disney's path, transforming temporary fame into long-term business success. This year, Pop Mart announced a partnership with Sony Pictures to develop a Labubu film and opened an expansion of its Pop Land theme park in Beijing.

"We hope to integrate our intellectual property into every aspect of consumers' lives, and desserts are one of them," Zhang said. He added that Pop Mart is proud to transform its characters into three-dimensional edible desserts, while other entertainment companies like Disney typically use only two-dimensional designs or plastic decorations on desserts.

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Police

Mercedes-AMG Special Edition Parts Available But Repairs Stay Pricey

A motorcyclist attacked a Mercedes-AMG driver in a viral incident, spitting on and smashing the car's mirror before fleeing; repairs for the rare special edition vehicle are estimated at 70,000–100,000 baht despite part availability.

4 Aug Khaosod

A motorcyclist attacked a driver in a viral video incident, spitting on and smashing the side mirror of a Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Coupe Special Edition before fleeing. The victim filed a police complaint with Buddhisamnon police, who have issued a summons for the suspect, identified as Mr. Get, and are gathering evidence for legal proceedings. The suspect has since made his social media accounts private amid heavy criticism.

The damaged vehicle is one of only 120 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Coupe Special Edition units in Thailand, and just 18 in blue. Initial estimates put repair costs at 70,000–100,000 baht for genuine mirror replacement, labor, and sensor recalibration, pending official inspection. Mechanic "Brother V10" from V10 Garage in Pathum Thani, who has serviced the same model, clarified that while parts are not rare, the premium vehicle's genuine components, labor, and electronic sensor adjustments remain expensive. Social media users widely agreed that despite part availability, repair costs for premium vehicles remain substantial, and the perpetrator may face significant liability if the service center confirms full replacement is needed.

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National

Single-Person Households Reshape Thai Economy, KTC Report Shows

Single-person households in Thailand surged to 26.5% of the population by 2024, shifting consumer spending toward quality-of-life purchases like travel, dining, and pet care despite tighter budgeting, according to Krung Thai Card Company da

4 Aug Khaosod

A growing number of Thai single-person households are reshaping the nation's economic structure, according to Thailand's Krung Thai Card Company (KTC). While consumers are managing expenses more carefully, they continue spending on quality-of-life improvements including travel, restaurants, health services, and pet care. This reflects a broader, quiet social transformation: Thailand is transitioning from a family-driven economy to one where single individuals serve as significant economic units.

National statistics released in 2024 show single-occupant household proportions rose from 22.3% in 2021 to 26.5% in 2024, while average Thai household size fell to just 2.6 people. These changes reflect diverse circumstances—some choose single life for work freedom, others are elderly whose children migrated for jobs, and some have divorced or lost spouses—but the outcome remains the same: more single-person households.

This shift is reshaping consumer behavior and business strategy. Restaurants now design menus and seating for solo diners, housing has become more compact yet emphasizes security and shared spaces, and financial planning increasingly focuses on individual risk management including emergency funds, retirement, and healthcare. Pet ownership has evolved from companionship into a family-like investment in food, veterinary care, and wellness services. Solo travel is no longer niche but a lifestyle choice reflecting consumer values of freedom and personalized experience.

KTC's 2025 spending data shows members prioritize quality-of-life expenses despite cautious budgeting. Pet-related spending among KTC members grew 12% in the first half of 2025, compared to 40% growth among South Korean cardholders, indicating consumers are selectively investing in meaningful experiences and wellbeing rather than cutting across all categories. Understanding today's consumers requires moving beyond age, income, and profession to recognize lifestyle patterns, as individuals with similar demographics may have vastly different financial needs depending on whether they live with family or alone.

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National

Thailand Launches FIBA-Sanctioned 3x3 Basketball Tournament

Thailand is launching the FIBA-sanctioned ULTIMATE THAILAND 3X3 SERIES 2026, giving basketball teams a chance to compete for 120,000 baht and qualification to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Dubai. The tournament opens registration through Augus

4 Aug Khaosod

Thailand's basketball scene is buzzing with the announcement of the "ULTIMATE THAILAND 3X3 SERIES 2026," a major FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 Quest tournament jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), Basketball Association of Thailand, and Tero Entertainment. The competition reinforces Thailand's growing basketball fever through an international platform that gives Thai athletes the opportunity to compete on the world stage. Top teams will compete fiercely for the championship title, prize money worth 120,000 baht, and most importantly, qualification and tickets to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2026 in Dubai, along with flights and accommodation.

The ULTIMATE THAILAND 3X3 SERIES 2026 will accept entries in two divisions:

- Open Men (OPEN MEN): Accepting 12 teams to compete for the champion title, 120,000 baht in prize money, and a spot at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2026 in Dubai with flights and accommodation included.

- U18 Men (U18 MEN): Accepting 12 teams to identify young talent and develop players for Thailand's future U23 national team.

Registration opened immediately and runs through August 14, 2026. For more information, contact Tero Sports via Facebook. The tournament takes place September 5-6 at Central Ayutthaya shopping mall with free admission for all spectators.

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Regional

Andaman Tourism Boats Tapped for Safety and Conservation Program

Two government agencies launched a joint maritime safety and conservation program for tourism boats in the Andaman, establishing new regulations at three pilot sites including Koh Racha and the Surin Islands to protect coral reefs and manag

4 Aug Khaosod

On August 4, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and Department of National Parks launched a joint effort to regulate tourism boats across three locations in three southern provinces, aiming to raise maritime safety standards while protecting marine resources sustainably. Dr. Pinsakul Surassawadee, director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and Arthorn Charoenchansaa, director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, chaired a meeting attended by representatives from multiple agencies including the Sirinart Marine National Park Foundation, the Royal Thai Navy, the Tourism Authority, the Port Authority, and the Fisheries Department.

The meeting approved guidelines to elevate marine tourism standards and implement systematic boat management in pilot areas: Koh Hong in Krabi, the Surin Islands in Phang Nga, and Koh Racha in Phuket. The program will establish designated mooring points, passenger loading zones, and boat routes; control vessel numbers according to site capacity; strengthen safety standards for operators and tourists; and reduce damage to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rare marine species. New regulations for dive boat operations will take effect in 2568 (2025) to protect coral ecosystems by requiring moored buoys instead of anchors, setting guidelines for dive operators and tourists, and monitoring environmental impact continuously to balance sustainable tourism with marine conservation.

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Police

Old Fuel Tank Explodes During Demolition in Ubon Ratchathani

An old fuel tank exploded during demolition at a gas station near Samrong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani on August 4, injuring three people. Investigators believe residual fuel vapors inside the tank ignited during the dismantling work.

4 Aug Khaosod

An old fuel tank exploded on August 4, 2569 at 2:30 p.m. while being dismantled at a gas station in front of Samrong Hospital in Samrong District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, injuring three people and alarming nearby residents. Emergency and rescue personnel quickly responded to assist the injured. Officials cordoned off the surrounding area for safety and transported all three injured persons to the hospital for medical treatment, though specific details about their conditions were not disclosed.

Initial investigation suggests the explosion occurred as workers were demolishing the old fuel tank, likely due to residual fuel vapors trapped inside igniting. Authorities are continuing to examine the scene and collect evidence to determine the exact cause of the incident.

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Police

Delivery Worker Dies After Chain-Reaction Bangkok Crash

A 29-year-old delivery worker died in a chain-reaction crash in Bangkok's Rat Burana District when his motorcycle was struck by a bus, then hit by a pickup truck; police suspect a white sedan cutting in front of him may have triggered the c

4 Aug Khaosod

At noon on August 4, Deputy Investigator Suranrong Janhoo of Bang Kholumlam Police Station responded to a fatal traffic collision near Suksawat Soi 3 in Rat Burana District. Officers and forensic doctors from Siriraj Hospital found the body of Sondhee Wiriya, 29, a delivery worker for an electrical equipment company, lying on the roadway with severe head injuries. His Honda CB300F motorcycle was damaged, with a cargo rack carrying electrical equipment and cables for customer delivery.

Resuscitation efforts by emergency responders failed, and the worker was pronounced dead. Investigators found a Subaru bus and a Toyota Revo pickup truck at the scene. The bus driver, Supphat, 50, told police that while he was stopped to pick up passengers, the motorcycle suddenly struck the rear of his bus with force. The rider's body then bounced into the right lane and was hit by the pickup truck that was passing at that moment. Supphat also reported seeing a white sedan cutting in front of the motorcycle just before the collision, which may have caused the rider to lose control.

Police have not yet determined the accident's cause and are interviewing both vehicle drivers. They are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and searching for the white sedan suspected of involvement in the incident. The body has been sent for detailed autopsy at Siriraj Hospital's forensic medicine department.

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Tourism

Running Man Thailand Sets Record With 6.85 Billion Impressions

Running Man Thailand's first season broke records with 6.85 billion impressions and over 390 million views, showcasing Thai destinations and culture to global audiences through the popular entertainment format.

4 Aug TAT Newsroom

Bangkok, 4 August 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is highlighting the record-breaking first season of Running Man Thailand, which generated 6.85 billion impressions across platforms, more than 390 million online views and over 10 million digital engagements. The iQIYI Original used a travel-race format to showcase Thailand’s destinations, culture and local experiences to global audiences.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “The tremendous response to Running Man Thailand reflects the power of Entertainment Marketing to bring Thailand’s tourism experiences to global audiences through engaging, widely accessible content. By placing destinations, culture and communities within the programme’s storytelling, the collaboration raised international visibility for Thailand while inspiring domestic travel. It also supported our ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ direction by presenting travel as a source of enjoyment, connection and discovery.”

TAT supported the first season through destination content, tourism featurettes and integrated Amazing Thailand visibility. Produced by iQIYI in close collaboration with South Korea’s SBS Studio Prism, the original format’s creator, Running Man Thailand adapted the internationally recognised franchise through Thai personalities, humour and destination experiences.

Premiering on 22 February 2026, the 10-episode series aired weekly on Sunday at 18.00 Hrs. (GMT+7) on One31. The cast featured seven leading Thai entertainers: Oat Pramote Pathan, Jeff Worakamon Satur, Ink Waruntorn Paonil, Tay Tawan Vihokratana, NuNew Chawarin Perdpiriyawong, Pueak Pongsatorn Jongwilas and Daou Pittaya Saechua.

Each episode transformed prominent locations into settings for missions and challenges. Featured sites included the Giant Swing, the Grand Palace and Bangkok’s historic neighbourhoods, together with Pattaya’s floating markets and beaches.

The programme became Thailand’s most searched variety show on Google Trends in 2026, frequently ranked No. 1 on X in Thailand, and trended weekly in more than 10 countries. It also won the KAZZ Awards 2026 Hottest TV Program award, reflecting its broad reach and cultural impact.

Nearly half of the audience was aged between 19 and 30, with around 30 per cent from international markets. Additional exposure came from 3.39 billion media impressions, creator amplification and citywide out-of-home advertising, including Bangkok Skytrain wraps, LED billboards and mobile displays.

TAT’s campaign included two tourism featurettes developed for distinct audiences. MINNIE introduced international viewers to favourite places, food and people in Thailand, while Mos and Bank shared personal stories from their home provinces of Loei and Chanthaburi. The content generated approximately 21,000 video views, 13,000 likes and more than 450 shares across iQIYI Thailand’s official channels.

Amazing Thailand visibility was integrated throughout the season through programme graphics, subtitles, end credits and official social media. A 30-second promotional spot aired in each episode, complemented by a designated programme clip for TAT distribution and cast amplification. MINNIE also appeared as a special guest.

The uncut version of Running Man Thailand, together with deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes content, remains available through the iQIYI application and iQ.com.

The post TAT spotlights Running Man Thailand’s record-breaking debut appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

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National

World-Ranked Golfer Patty Tavatanakit Joins Daikin as Brand Ambassador

World-ranked golfer Patty Tavatanakit has become Daikin's newest brand ambassador, with executives from the air-conditioning company officially welcoming her to the partnership in Thailand.

4 Aug Khaosod

Patty Tavatanakit, a world-class female golfer currently ranked second globally, has officially joined the Daikin family as a new brand ambassador and was delighted by the warm welcome she received. Takayoshi Miki, president of Siam Daikin Sales Co., Ltd., and Vorapong Kiyaphat, managing director of the company, presented her with flowers and officially welcomed her as a new member of the "Daikin family." The atmosphere was filled with smiles and appreciation, marking an important moment in the partnership. This meeting represents a significant step for both leaders, reflecting the convergence of a global brand and Thailand's world-renowned female golfer. Patty is now set to embark on a new chapter with Daikin as its latest brand ambassador, with this being just the beginning of the collaboration. More exciting moments and developments from Daikin and Patty are expected to follow soon.

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