Tonkatsu HAJIME, a premium pork cutlet specialist from Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, has become a viral sensation with queues stretching over three hours and top-tier reviews from Japanese diners. The restaurant has now opened its first Thai location on the 7th floor Atrium zone at Central World, bringing the authentic experience to local fans without the need for a Tokyo trip.

The tonkatsu here delivers exceptional quality: despite the thick pork cuts, the frying technique is masterful, maintaining a crispy, light breadcrumb coating while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. The secret lies in low-temperature deep frying over an extended period, allowing heat to gradually penetrate the meat evenly, drawing out its natural sweetness while creating a light, oil-free crispness on the outside.

The restaurant positions its pork cutlet as a true craft, not merely a dish but a science honed by expert chefs—master-level tonkatsu craftsmanship. The Bangkok location mirrors its Tokyo counterpart perfectly in preparation, flavor, decor, and unlimited side dishes including Japanese rice and shredded cabbage. The menu is refreshingly simple, requiring no expertise to order: classic tonkatsu served on a flat plate, or yakikutsu don, a rice bowl topped with egg and tonkatsu drizzled with special sauce in an elegant presentation.

Customers select their preferred cut—outer loin, inner loin, or seafood—with rare premium options in limited quantities, including Chateaubriand, the tender, exquisite inner loin section, and pork ribeye with rich fat marbling and intense flavor, rarely offered by other tonkatsu restaurants. The seafood standout features jumbo shrimp, with each piece packed with three large prawns.

Dipping sauces extend beyond standard tonkatsu sauce to include three salt varieties—sea salt, wasabi, and Japanese plum—plus salad dressing for the shredded cabbage. Prices range from 350 to 850 baht, excluding VAT and service charge. This is an essential addition to any serious food lover's list alongside other celebrated restaurants like Madame Cuisine.

Labor Minister Chulphan Amornvivatana said on August 13 that the Social Security Office has not issued any order to delay the board election, despite a temporary suspension of voter registration processes. Other election preparations, including ballot printing, venue arrangement, and staff training, continue as planned.

When asked whether the registration halt would exempt approximately 12 million insured persons and employers from having to register, Chulphan said the ministry must consult the courts to clarify how legal conflicts arising from the suspension should be handled and what procedures to follow once the court rules.

Chulphan stressed that the Social Security Office has never ordered a postponement and has not issued any such order to date. He emphasized that the Labor Ministry's responsibility extends beyond simply holding an election—every step must comply with the law and be conducted with absolute rigor. The election has faced complaints on multiple fronts, including registration and voting day issues. Careless implementation could trigger larger grievances and undermine the election's integrity.

"We are not just holding an election for the sake of it," Chulphan said. "We must ensure every procedure follows the law and is executed with the highest standards."

The ministry also plans to organize debate forums for candidates from both the insured and employer sides to present their policies equally, ensuring voters have complete information to make informed choices. Chulphan called on media to give prominence to these forums so all candidates can present their platforms fairly.

Regarding the publication of the voter list, originally scheduled for August 10, Chulphan said the ministry must consult the courts on which roster to use and how to announce it, ensuring the announcement does not violate relevant regulations. The ministry will take time to clarify these points but work within a reasonable timeframe.

Every Saturday and Sunday morning at a small weaving stall, customers pause to gently feel the cotton fabric before striking up conversations with the vendor. The stories of the village are shared through the cloth and the smiles passed between seller and buyer.

Ban Lai Kaew Village, Doi Tao, Chiang Mai

"I know our Karen people have something special in our hands, but how do we make it fit the market? We have excellent skills, our own identity, a heritage to pass down, and we want to create work for the community," said Janchai Puped, known in natural weaving circles as Tui Doi Tao.

As a young man in the 1990s, Tui Doi Tao left the village to work and gain experience elsewhere, but his pride in his ethnicity and appreciation for the fine weaving craft never left him. He began trading woven cloth in 1994. The path was not easy, facing constant obstacles, but his belief in the value of the community's handiwork kept the fabrics from Ban Lai Kaew village shining regularly.

As a cloth merchant, Tui does not speak of weaving as merely a product, but rather tells the stories of the "people" behind the fabric—the weavers, cotton farmers, dyers, and youth. Buyers become friends of the community. This strength is rare and is what makes Ban Lai Kaew weaving shine. The elders remain motivated to dye cotton cloth and pass their knowledge to their children and grandchildren without tiring.

Tui's family is itself a weaving family. Though as a son he does not weave like his sisters, he excels at natural dyeing and has skill in pattern design and color selection. His wife is skilled in weaving, dyeing, and pattern design, and their children grew up in a craft atmosphere, absorbing the love and knowledge around them. Tui's path is bright not just for his own family, but the word "family" extends to all the weaving families of Ban Lai Kaew village.

When his daughters were young, they grew up beside their mother's loom, learning to weave and dye. As they matured and chose their own paths, they went out to gain outside experience. One day, Chachaya Puped, his eldest daughter, returned home and filled in the modern and marketing side of the business.

Chachaya explained: "Father only knew customers in his craft circle, but when we came back we adapted the old designs into new ones that fit daily life and work. The old designs are beautiful, but I thought they were hard to wear, difficult for work and social outings. We turned them into skirts with modern patterns that suit today, so you can wear them to any event. I think it's perfect."

Tui concludes: "We know it works, that there's a livelihood for villagers. It's not just us alone as one family. Without weavers, without dyers, without sewers—without the many lives behind the scenes—we couldn't have reached this point."

The Agricultural and Food Security Command Center (AFSC), working with related agencies, seized 20,000 kilograms of illegal frozen beef worth 2.8 million baht in Pratiu District, Chumphon Province.

Sarawut Nueangchamnong, secretary to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister and commanding officer of the AFSC, announced that on August 10, 2025 at 10 p.m., the center coordinated an operation with Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan animal quarantine stations, the Investigation Division, Chumphon Provincial Police, Mab Amphoe Police Station, and other relevant agencies. The team had been alerted that a 22-wheel truck would attempt to illegally transport frozen beef from Southern Thailand to Samut Sakhon Province.

At approximately 10 p.m., officers located the target truck parked at a gas station in Pratiu District, Chumphon. Upon inspection, they found a 38-year-old driver in possession of 20,000 kilograms of frozen beef valued at approximately 2.8 million baht. The suspect lacked the required import permit and transport permit documentation.

Officers charged the suspect under the Animal Disease Act, B.E. 2558, Sections 31 and 34. The suspect and seized goods were transferred to Mab Amphoe Police Station for further legal proceedings.

"The AFSC is committed to effectively preventing and suppressing violations related to agricultural goods and related offenses at provincial level, with a specific focus on suppressing illegal agricultural products while maintaining stability in agricultural commodity prices," Sarawut said.

Khon Kaen — Chicken egg prices have jumped 6 baht per dozen, matching levels seen during the Covid outbreak. Retailers blame the rainy season for reduced laying, with size-4 eggs absent from markets for a month. They expect the shortage to persist for another three months. Some curry rice restaurants are adjusting menus to reduce egg-based dishes.

August 13 — A reporter surveyed egg stalls at Banglumphu Fresh Market in Khon Kaen Municipality and found them selling out quickly throughout the day as restaurant operators and residents stock up.

Jetsada Champanu, 43, owner of Ponsawan Fresh Egg shop, said prices have risen three times, with each dozen increasing 20 satang per egg, or 6 baht per dozen overall—matching pandemic-era rates. Size-0 eggs are expensive and rarely ordered. Size-2 eggs sold for 130 baht last year; they now cost 140 baht per dozen. Size-4 eggs have disappeared from shelves for a month.

"Right now prices are high and supplies are short," Jetsada said. "When I place orders, I only get about 50 percent of what I request. I expect this to last another two to three months. Farms say laying hens are producing less than market demand requires, especially during the rainy season when output drops significantly."

Jongthanum Suabsing, 43, owner of Khrua Thoem Suk curry rice restaurant, normally buys size-3 eggs from a wholesale dealer. She previously paid 115 baht per dozen but now pays 135 baht. Fried eggs that sold for 5 baht each rose to 10 baht per egg about two months ago. The restaurant has also adjusted its menu to avoid dishes heavy in eggs, while monitoring rising pork and chicken prices.

The restaurant has not yet raised prices across the board, still offering some dishes from 40 baht for two curries. Special menu items come with notice of any price increases.

On August 13, actor Neef Ruttanan, aged 28, accompanied by his adoptive mother Thitiya Malathree, aged 69, and manager Thamnun Tangtim filed a complaint at the Bureau of Investigation Central Region headquarters seeking justice. His biological father, Kanpong, aged 58, was severely assaulted by condo security and a group of teenagers on July 27 around 5 p.m. at a Bangsaen-area condominium, sustaining severe injuries including fractured facial bones, broken teeth, and bleeding in the brain membrane. He remains hospitalized at Bhumibol Hospital.

Neef explained that his father had been experiencing depression and confusion prior to the attack, possibly triggering the violence. When the family requested CCTV footage from the condo, they were told the system was broken. After initially filing a report at Bangsaen Police Station, officers only recorded the complaint in a daily log without pursuing further action. The family is now concerned about their safety because the accused security guard continues to work and live at the same condominium.

Thitiya, the adoptive mother, noted she has owned five units at the condo for 10 years and rents out the others for family income. She believes the assault stemmed from lending money to and collecting rent from residents, including members of the group accused of the beating. Following the attack, the perpetrators allegedly threatened the family, warning them that living in the area would be difficult if they pressed charges. They offered 30,000 baht as settlement, but the family rejected it, fearing their safety would not be assured with the suspect still employed at their residence.