On August 11, Nathanan Suwannimit, the district chief of Nam Kliang in Sisaket Province and director of the district drug prevention and suppression operation center, announced that he had assigned security officials led by Ms. Chatkarn Kotarak, a civil servant, along with volunteers to investigate complaints. Intelligence indicated that monks staying in temples in Nam Kliang and Rung Rawi subdistricts were engaged in drug-related behavior.

Officials conducted urine tests on four monks at the first targeted temple in Nam Kliang. Three tested negative and one tested positive: a 58-year-old monk identified as "A." A search of his quarters revealed two methamphetamine tablets hidden inside. During initial questioning, the monk admitted to purchasing the drugs from locals and using them once a week or three to four times a month.

Officials then visited another temple in Rung Rawi subdistrict, where ten monks were in residence. Eight tested negative; two tested positive, identified as monks "B" and "C." Local sources revealed that monks B and C had previously been defrocked for drug-related offenses but later returned to monastic life. They had not undergone formal ordination from an abbot but instead sought spiritual redemption by worshipping at local earth shrines before donning robes again and moving into the temple.

Discover how centuries of Thai craftsmanship are being reimagined for the modern world! The Government Public Relations Department of Thailand invites you to a special pop-up exhibition and seminar ho...

Phuket — Officers from Chalong Police Station conducted an inspection of Lion Cafe in Phuket following widespread social media reports claiming a lion had attacked a Chinese tourist. Authorities confirmed that the establishment operates legally and that its animals are properly licensed and vaccinated. At 4:00 p.m., Pol. Col. Surasak Jaidee, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, […]

On August 11, Air Vice Marshal Prabhas Soanthaidee, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thai-Cambodian Information Center, responded to a Cambodian article claiming Thailand's White Paper is merely "Thailand's position" and not an international court ruling. He acknowledged the technical accuracy of that point, noting Thailand never claimed it was a court judgment, but emphasized that what matters is whether the facts, evidence, and legal interpretations within the document are sound.

"If they say it's not true, show me where," Soanthaidee said. "If they say the evidence is wrong, tell me which piece. If they say Thailand's legal interpretation is incorrect, bring forward the law to counter it. That is the debate the international community should have." He explained that the White Paper compiles facts, timelines, documents, and legal principles to enable Thai citizens, media, academics, and foreigners to verify Thailand's position.

When asked about critics' call to test the document by "facts, evidence, and international law," Soanthaidee strongly endorsed the standard but insisted all parties apply it equally. "Don't use one standard to check Thailand and another for the other side," he said. He urged Thais not to share information in anger or believe claims out of preference, but to read and verify first.

Soanthaidee stressed that Thailand does not need the loudest voice, but rather needs Thai facts to travel farther. Citizens can help by sharing information with credible sources and verifiable evidence. He expressed confidence in Thailand's ability to stand on facts and welcome scrutiny: "Real evidence does not fear examination. We don't ask the world to believe Thailand because we say so—we ask them to look at the evidence and judge by facts. This is Thailand's confidence, and this is what JIC will continue to affirm."

The Department of Sericulture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, invites the public to the "Artisan Crafts: Thai Beacon OTOP—Hearts United by Royal Grace 2569" exhibition from August 8–16, 2569 at Impact Muang Thong Thani's Challenger Buildings 1–3. The event honors the late Queen Sirikit's profound contributions to preserving, reviving, and promoting Thai arts, crafts, and silk as a valued and internationally recognized heritage.

The exhibition displays and sells artisan products, handicrafts, and OTOP goods nationwide, allowing visitors to purchase quality products directly from communities and entrepreneurs while experiencing Thai wisdom passed down through generations. The Department of Sericulture's booth conveys the concept of "Royal Grace flowing to sustain Thai silk for all; Divine compassion to preserve Thai silk sustainably," illustrating how royal benevolence has nurtured the livelihoods of farmers, weavers, and silk knowledge keepers continuously, linking past to present and future.

The Department promotes Thai silk and sericulture products through a live exhibition structured around the concept of "water flow"—from upstream to downstream—connecting the royal vision to every stage of silk production: silkworm rearing, silk reeling, weaving, and product development for contemporary use and economic value.

The "upstream" section presents knowledge about silkworm rearing and the insect's life cycle, the foundation of quality silk fiber, reflecting wisdom rooted in attentiveness, precision, and continuous knowledge transmission. The "midstream" section showcases silk reeling, fiber processing, and weaving—the critical transformation of silk thread into valued cloth, highlighting the skill, finesse, and distinctive character of Thai weavers in each region.

The "downstream" section presents the development of silk and sericulture products into creative goods advanced through design, marketing, and everyday use, enabling Thai silk to reach wider consumers and progress sustainably through conservation and development together.

A special workshop on August 12, 2569 (Mother's Day) invites visitors to craft jasmine flowers from silk cocoons, transforming sericulture materials into valued creations while honoring the meaning of jasmine as a symbol of love and gratitude, and passing Thai silk heritage to future generations.

The Oil Fund Committee (OFC) announced its August 11, 2569 meeting decision to increase prices across all fuel types by 0.85 baht per liter. The increase reflects ongoing volatility and upward movement in global crude oil markets. New retail prices are now: gasoline 45.83 baht per liter, Gasohol 95 at 36.84 baht per liter, E20 at 31.84 baht per liter, E85 at 27.78 baht per liter, Gasohol 91 at 36.47 baht per liter, Diesel B7 at 37.54 baht per liter, and Diesel B20 at 32.54 baht per liter. Prices shown exclude Bangkok municipal tax.