Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, on August 13, 2026, at the Thai Khu Fa Building in Government House at 3:30 p.m. The meeting marked Colby's first official visit to Thailand in his capacity as policy chief at the U.S. Department of Defense.

After the meeting concluded, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek revealed that the Prime Minister had welcomed Colby and expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Thai-U.S. relations. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand's firm position that security cooperation between Thailand and the United States represents a cornerstone of their long-standing bilateral relationship, and that Thailand will not use military cooperation as a condition or negotiating tool in trade talks. Trade negotiations and security cooperation proceed on separate tracks based on mutual benefit and through their respective mechanisms.

Regarding military cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand and the United States have been allies for 193 years. Thailand values this strategic partnership, which benefits both nations and contributes significantly to regional peace, security, and stability. Both sides should strengthen the Thai-U.S. alliance to address evolving international circumstances and effectively respond to modern security threats and challenges.

Colby stated that Thailand is an important U.S. ally and that the United States places strategic importance on the region. He affirmed the U.S. commitment to enhance security cooperation with Thailand to jointly address complex challenges and the rapidly changing security environment. Both sides agreed to elevate their security partnership by developing capacity to counter modern security threats, enhancing military capabilities and modernization, and advancing defense industry cooperation.

On transnational crime, the Prime Minister referenced his July meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel, during which both agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation, particularly in preventing and combating transnational crime in the region—a threat both countries consider significant. The Prime Minister also addressed the Thai-Cambodian border situation, thanking President Donald Trump for his constructive role in supporting a resolution. He reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to international law, good neighborliness, peaceful dispute resolution through bilateral mechanisms, and compliance with the Kuala Lumpur Accord.

Deputy Transport Minister Pattrapong Pattarasetthikul held discussions with Grab Thailand representatives and Airports of Thailand Director General Danai Ruengsaon to develop a cooperation framework aimed at upgrading airport transportation services and enhancing passenger and tourist safety and convenience.

Pattrapong stated that the Transport Ministry prioritizes seamless transport connectivity, particularly between airports and various destinations, as a key element in creating a positive experience for passengers and travelers. The talks with Grab represent an exchange of approaches to develop services responsive to user needs while promoting integration of public transport systems with modern app-based travel services.

Airports of Thailand has already established public transport facilities at all 21 airports nationwide, including buses, taxis, shared vans, and other services tailored to each airport's needs.

The Deputy Transport Minister instructed Airports of Thailand to explore cooperation with Grab to facilitate seamless connections between airports and destination areas, with passenger safety and convenience as priorities. All work must comply with relevant laws and regulations.

The Transport Ministry is committed to developing efficient, safe, and convenient airport ground transportation across regional airports to support both passengers and tourists, while modernizing transport services for the digital age. This effort will boost tourism and sustainable economic growth in provinces and regions nationwide.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming work practices, and economic uncertainty is forcing organizations to accelerate adaptation and continuously improve business efficiency. Yet equally challenging is supporting the people who must constantly learn new skills while facing higher expectations, affecting mental health, burnout, and work-life balance—issues now facing organizations worldwide.

Today's labor market comprises multiple generations with distinctly different views on work. Younger employees seek learning opportunities, flexibility, and meaningful work, while experienced workers prioritize job security, career advancement, and long-term quality of life. As worker needs become more diverse, human resource management thinking must evolve in response.

Consequently, well-being no longer means only benefits or workplace happiness activities. It has become a framework for designing work environments where people can work energetically, enjoy good physical and mental health, have growth opportunities, and sustainably adapt to change. Ultimately, the ability to support and develop employee potential is a critical factor in business competitiveness.

For Bangkok Glass Group, the challenge is more complex given its diverse workforce—production staff, engineers, researchers, sales teams, and office employees—each with different work styles and needs. The key question is not what benefits to add, but how to design a personnel care system enabling everyone to grow according to their potential, even across different work contexts.

Well-being is not a cost; it is a long-term investment.

Historically, well-being was often seen as supplementary activities or benefits that created workplace happiness. Today, many organizations view it as an "investment" because employee quality of life directly impacts work performance, creativity, organizational commitment, and the ability to attract and retain talented people—all critical factors for long-term business growth.

Based on this thinking, Bangkok Glass Group designed personnel care through a four-dimensional framework: Mind, Body, Financial, and Together. The company believes well-being extends beyond physical health to include mental health, financial security, and positive relationships—all of which strengthen long-term work capacity.

In the Mind dimension, the company prioritizes mental health through counseling services and mental health promotion activities, ensuring employees access appropriate support. The Body dimension focuses on ongoing health care, including annual checkups and activities encouraging daily health awareness. The Financial dimension supports financial security through benefits and services that reduce expenses while promoting long-term financial planning. The Together dimension builds positive relationships among colleagues, family, and the organization through activities that encourage participation and foster belonging. Learning itself is another dimension of well-being.

The Department of Foreign Trade has organized Thai Tapioca Nexus 2026 to build networks and create long-term business opportunities, expecting foreign orders worth 2.6 billion baht. Arada Fuengtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that the event serves as an important platform connecting the government, private sector, SME entrepreneurs, experts, academics, and foreign trading partners to exchange knowledge, technology, innovation, and marketing insights while building cooperative networks and concrete business opportunities.

In today's trade landscape, partners care not just about product quality but also standards, transparency, environmental responsibility, and supply chain reliability—the foundation of long-term trade trust. Thailand has the potential to develop production, processing, technology, and standards systems to deliver high-value tapioca products that meet global market demands and future industries, guided by the Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to use resources efficiently, reduce carbon footprint, and support Net Zero goals sustainably.

"The Department of Foreign Trade is committed to advancing Thailand's tapioca industry under the concept 'Adding Value Toward a Sustainable Future,' through three pillars: quality leadership, confidence support, and innovation acceleration. We will enhance quality and standards, build trust through transparent and efficient verification systems, and strengthen Thailand's tapioca competitiveness in global markets sustainably," Arada said.

The event featured an academic seminar titled "Thai Tapioca on the World Stage: Reinforcing Supply Security, Building Innovation, Opening Trade Opportunities" with speakers including Dusit Pithyadhikun, chairman of the Thai Tapioca Flour Association; Dr. Keokool Piyajomkwan, a tapioca flour expert; Associate Professor Pramod Paengkham, an expert on tapioca use in animal feed industries; and Associate Professor Suphaphorn Kiarti Sin, chair of the International Thai SME Business Promotion and Development Center at the Thai SME Federation. Participants gained insights on upgrading the tapioca industry through innovation and enhancing Thai entrepreneurs' capacity, particularly SMEs, to expand trade opportunities in foreign markets.

More than 300 participants attended, including importers from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Hong Kong—all important markets with potential to adopt Thai tapioca products across multiple industries. Approximately 60 business networking sessions were organized, and the event is expected to generate at least 2.6 billion baht in economic value while giving Thai entrepreneurs access to new trading partners, market expansion, and entry into global value chains.

Arada noted that this event continues the Department's proactive market promotion strategy through ongoing negotiations with importers in Fukuoka and Tokyo, Japan; business matching in Chongqing, China; launching high-value products in Germany; and protecting trade interests in the United States, where Thai tapioca flour maintains zero-percent tariff exemption under Section 301.

On August 13, Somchai Lertsawatphan, Phrae Provincial Governor, convened an urgent meeting with all school administrators to enforce comprehensive security upgrades following the online threats. The incident began on the evening of August 12 when students and parents at the prominent Phrae school discovered threatening messages in an open chat group that appeared to warn of violent action at the campus.

On the morning of August 13, the school principal and Dr. Rungarun Pongkern, director of the Phrae Secondary Education Area Office, coordinated with relevant agencies to implement heightened monitoring and protective measures for students, teachers, and staff. They stressed that safety protocols must be systematic and applied across all schools in the jurisdiction. School conditions remained normal while staff increased continuous patrols to reassure students, teachers, and parents as the situation developed.

One female student stated she felt worried and afraid by the messages but continued attending school as usual, believing education was important and with parental permission, though she was advised to be extra cautious.

Meanwhile, Surachai Chanmani, Chief of Muang Phrae Police Station, ordered patrols to monitor the school grounds in coordination with administrative officials, health officers, and education authorities to prevent and watch for any incidents.

Later, Phongdech Khamchaichuk, Phrae Provincial Police Commander, received reports and invited Frank, a 19-year-old from Rong Kwang District who was a former student of the school, for questioning at Muang Phrae Police Station over suspected involvement in sending the threatening messages.

Background checks revealed he is an alumnus of the school and has a history of psychiatric treatment and care at Rong Kwang Hospital and Phrae Hospital. Officers proceeded with standard procedures, documented the information, and referred him for continued care.

The Department of Employment is urging employers to renew work permits for foreign workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam by December 11, 2025. According to a cabinet resolution approved on July 14, 2025, foreign workers whose permits expire on December 11, 2025, can extend their stay and work for one more year until December 11, 2026.

Somchai Morakotsrivarn, director-general of the Department of Employment, explained that the measure applies to foreign workers authorized to work and holding visas valid until December 11, 2025, as well as those already approved to work but unable to obtain or renew their passports by July 31, 2025, or whose passports expire before December 11, 2025.

Employers and foreign workers must follow these steps: First, foreign workers must undergo health screening at state or accredited private hospitals and obtain health insurance. Second, they must submit renewal applications through the electronic system by December 11, 2025, and pay filing fees of 100 baht and work permit fees of 900 baht. Third, once approved by the registrar, workers can continue employment until December 11, 2026, using temporary work permits. Fourth, foreign workers must obtain or renew their passports and complete visa inspection by June 30, 2026, or within 90 days of receiving their passport.

Somchai urged employers, businesses, and foreign workers to prepare required documents and complete the renewal process within the specified timeframe. Further inquiries can be directed to the Bangkok Employment Offices (Areas 1-10) or provincial employment offices nationwide.