The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is accelerating training for a new generation of medical cannabis entrepreneurs, raising business standards to international levels and supporting Thailand's sustainable health economy. On August 10, 2026, at Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel in Nonthaburi, Dr. Tewanj Thaneerattana, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine under the Ministry of Public Health, chaired a workshop on developing and building networks of medical cannabis entrepreneurs and presented certificates to 46 entrepreneurs who completed the Panya Phattana curriculum for medical cannabis entrepreneur development (Batch 1).

Dr. Tewanj emphasized that developing entrepreneurs with knowledge, standards, and strong cooperation networks is central to elevating Thailand's medical cannabis industry for quality and sustainable growth. The event provided a platform for experience sharing, product development opportunities, market expansion, and business network building to enhance competitiveness and create economic value within the legal framework.

The Panya Phattana curriculum for medical cannabis entrepreneur development (Batch 1) ran from April 24 to July 17, 2026, comprising 10 sessions totaling 72 hours covering four key dimensions: strategy and management, business fundamentals, investment, finance, marketing, and cannabis business management; product standards and developing medical cannabis products to international standards; negotiation and business growth strategies including expansion channels and partnership building; and practical training and study visits with expert exchanges and site visits to internationally certified facilities to enable participants to apply knowledge directly.

Dr. Peerchaya Kugasemkit, Director of the Medical Cannabis Division, noted that workshop activities included special lectures on medical cannabis use and health economy opportunities, and group discussions organized by supply chain structure (upstream, midstream, downstream, and support sectors) including cultivation plots, extraction factories, herbal product manufacturers, and flower dispensaries. The discussions aimed to facilitate business negotiations and build networks among entrepreneurs. The department expects trained entrepreneurs to leverage their knowledge and networks to advance medical cannabis innovations and drive the industry toward quality and safety, contributing to sustainable growth of Thailand's health economy.

Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand invite students, parents, and interested individuals to attend the New Zealand Education Fair 2026, the year's largest education fair marking 70 years of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations. The event runs Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor, Bangkok.

Visitors will connect with over 70 leading schools, universities, technology institutes, and language centers from New Zealand across all educational levels, from short-term English courses to secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational programs. The fair offers one-on-one consultations with institution representatives, scholarship opportunities totaling over 2 million baht, and an announcement of Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships—full New Zealand government scholarships—with application guidance at 10:30 a.m., opening pathways to world-class education for Thai students.

New Zealand maintains recognition as one of the world's top education systems, emphasizing active learning, critical thinking, hands-on practice, and individual development in safe, supportive environments with close care for international students. All eight of its universities rank in the top 3% globally. Recently, New Zealand ranked first worldwide for employment outcomes among graduates according to the QS World University Rankings 2027, reflecting education linked to job prospects and future success.

Thailand remains one of the top 10 countries sending students to New Zealand, reflecting strong educational ties and sustained Thai family confidence in New Zealand education. The 2025 International Student Experience Survey shows 87% of international students rate their overall experience positively, and 92% are satisfied with people and relationships, demonstrating an open, welcoming society and a learning environment supporting success for students worldwide.

ENZ invites attendees to explore opportunities through the NZ Simulated Classroom, allowing Thai students to experience active learning with New Zealand teachers, and a special panel featuring Sukhwan Boolakul on parental perspectives in choosing New Zealand from secondary through university levels. A major highlight is the "7 Friends for 7 Decades" awards ceremony honoring seven distinguished individuals who advanced Thai-New Zealand educational cooperation during this 70-year diplomatic milestone, plus the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame announcement.

Top offers include free round-trip airfares to New Zealand for those who enroll with participating institutions during the fair, and registered attendees have a chance to win Air New Zealand tickets. Registration is free at https://www.learnenglishnewzealand.com/nzeducationfair

On August 10, a 23-year-old female student filed a complaint at the Sai Yai Must Survive Community Center in the Sai Yai district after becoming a victim of a scammer who posed as someone named "Sii." The fraudster posted on social media claiming to seek conversation partners to ease loneliness and offering to cover living and tuition expenses without requiring in-person meetings, only video calls.

The victim explained she fell for the scheme because she was struggling with dormitory fees and was searching online for supplementary income. During the video call, the scammer attempted to coerce her into removing her clothes, which she largely resisted by keeping her bra on and refusing other sexual advances. The scammer then claimed to transfer payment before blocking her.

Within two days, the victim received numerous messages on Instagram, including from anonymous accounts asking if she had seen her leaked video. She discovered that the full, unblurred video had been distributed through an app, with her personal information and gambling website links attached.

The investigation revealed more than 10 other victims, including high school and university students from prominent institutions, as well as actresses, with some videos showing more explicit content. The victim's testimony indicates she clearly remembers the perpetrator's voice and warns others against trusting unknown people online, especially those offering suspicious financial arrangements.

Ekapon Luang Prasertsan, founder of the Sai Yai Must Survive page, stated this is an organized scam targeting students and has coordinated with Deputy Commander Chatchapan Kluea Kluen of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau to file formal complaints and pursue legal action. The founder urged the public not to engage in risky transactions via social media and invited other potential victims to come forward with evidence.

Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced that the 'Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40)' program has injected 106 billion baht into the economy, with data as of August 9, 2025, showing 106,630.53 million baht in total spending from 26,040,623 beneficiaries across 1,099,641 participating shops. This reflects widespread distribution of purchasing power to small merchants, entrepreneurs, and the grassroots economy.

Ratchada emphasized that the program is not a one-off measure but part of continuous economic stewardship, expanding from boosting consumer purchasing power to capital injection, reduced financing costs, and debt resolution. The initiative aims to give citizens, farmers, and business owners the liquidity needed to generate income and continue operations.

The government has since launched 'Thai Help Thai Capital Boost with Shared Interest' through village and community funds, enabling fund members nationwide to access affordable capital for business development and expansion. This represents a transition from demand-side stimulus to grassroots income generation.

For farmers, the government is promoting a half-interest agricultural credit program worth 30 billion baht over three years through the Agricultural Bank of Thailand to reduce financing costs and improve access to capital. For SMEs, the government introduced 'SME Credit Boost' alongside a debt restructuring program called 'Close Debt, Move Forward' to help businesses adjust obligations and resume operations. Credit is already flowing through the system, with plans to expand assistance through state-owned financial institutions to provide parallel funding channels alongside commercial banks.

"The government is not merely managing living costs," Ratchada stated. "We want people to have income, businesses to have capital, and debt reduced so they can move forward. We're transitioning stimulus from consumer demand to capital injection, cost reduction, and debt relief, ensuring money circulates as income, employment, and sustained grassroots economic strength."

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced a free education policy for all 437 schools under Bangkok's administration, eliminating school maintenance fees charged to parents. The policy aims to reduce financial burdens on families and ensure equal access to quality education without hidden costs.

Under the program, students receive free benefits including uniforms and equipment, breakfast and milk (15 baht per student), accident insurance covering up to 6,000 baht in medical expenses with 90,000 baht compensation for death or disability, hygiene products for elementary students in grades 4-6, and textbooks along with learning activity fees. The Bangkok Education Office is preparing an official proclamation to formally implement the free education policy with no additional charges.

On August 10, 2025, Agoda, the digital travel platform, released its ranking of Asian destinations most sought by European travelers based on accommodation searches made between April and June for travel during July and August—peak summer vacation season for Europeans. Thailand has retained the number one position for the second consecutive year, with three Thai cities making the top five regional destinations: Bangkok at first place, Koh Samui climbing from fourth to third, and Pattaya at fifth.

Bali holds second place for the second year running, while Tokyo ranks fourth, continuing to attract European visitors. Indonesia rose from third to second overall, with Vietnam jumping from fifth to fourth, and Malaysia holding fifth place among the region's most popular destinations.

Travelers from Germany, France, and the Netherlands represent the top three nationalities searching for Thailand in summer—a pattern unchanged from last year—while Spain and Italy round out the top five.

Among the top 20 destinations, India showed the highest growth in European search interest at 14% year-over-year, followed by South Korea at 13% and Vietnam at 12%, reflecting growing European demand for diverse Asian itineraries beyond traditional hotspots.

Anong Rotkon, Agoda's Country Director for Thailand and Indochina, stated: "European travelers have made Thailand part of their annual travel routine, as evidenced by our consecutive number-one ranking and three Thai cities in the top five. This reflects sustained interest rather than a passing trend, and the simultaneous popularity of Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Pattaya shows that Thailand's appeal spans multiple experiences and attractions." She added that Agoda is pleased to help travelers discover Asia on their own terms, regardless of destination.