Toyota Motor Thailand has unveiled the new Toyota Coaster multipurpose minibus with a spacious, comfortable cabin that prioritizes passenger safety, aligning with government policy to enhance public transport safety standards. The vehicle addresses the needs of operators in tourism, hospitality, shuttle services, and public and private sector organizations. The Coaster, assembled and imported from Japan, has earned trust across Thailand's transport industry for its durability, safety, and comfort, becoming a popular choice for hotels, resorts, schools, and government and private entities. The exterior features a distinctive grille and front bumper with large fog lights for excellent visibility, and rear lights with brake illumination for safety. Interior amenities include 6 USB Type-C ports, panoramic side mirrors to reduce blind spots, large windows for passenger views, illuminated side steps for nighttime safety, full-cabin air conditioning, and overhead ventilation. The new 2.8-liter GD engine delivers 150 horsepower and 420 Newton-meters of torque while meeting Euro 5 emission standards, paired with a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include a reinforced body structure designed to absorb impact, a durable chassis with reinforced guards, 3-point seatbelts at all seats, 2 airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, VSC vehicle stability control, accelerator override protection, power doors with jam protection, and position lights for passenger safety.

In 2019, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) released asset and liability declarations submitted by Solong Rioyaeng, filed as the spouse of former Nonthaburi District 1 MP Jaroen Rioyaeng from the Palang Pracharath Party, who is now divorced.

Solong Rioyaeng declared assets of 24,953,849 baht, comprising bank deposits of 188,849 baht, one motorcycle valued at 5,000 baht, and other property (items valued at 200,000 baht or more) worth 24.76 million baht, including watches, rings, gold chains, three firearms, and religious artifacts valued at 24 million baht. His liabilities totaled 88,790,232 baht.

Jaroen Rioyaeng declared assets of 46,973,474 baht, including 200,000 baht in cash, bank deposits across nine accounts totaling 5,013,875 baht, four investment accounts valued at 587,399 baht, four plots of land in Muang Nonthaburi District valued at 24,225,000 baht, one residential building worth 8 million baht, five vehicles worth 3,680,000 baht, and other property worth 5,267,200 baht (watches, rings, gold chains, religious artifacts, and three firearms). Her liabilities were 1,030,948 baht.

Combined, the couple reported total assets of 71,927,324 baht and total liabilities of 89,821,180 baht.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin, a core leader of Pheu Thai Party, denied Wednesday morning at Government House having any actual knowledge of reports that ten Krathodham Party (KDC) members are switching to Pheu Thai. He said he has only followed the story through media and was not part of any discussions about it. "What I don't know, I don't know," he stated. "If I knew something, I couldn't keep it to myself—I'd tell it if asked. But if I don't know, I simply don't know. It's not good to speak about things we don't understand. I have to admit openly to the media that I genuinely don't know and haven't followed up, because I consider this to be each person's own interpretation and thoughts. I don't want to overstep anyone's feelings."

When asked if he had exchanged information with Bunyying Nititkanjana, a Krathodham MP from Ratchaburi, Suchat said they only see each other in parliament recently and don't talk. He dismissed the story as political color and said the media likely has more reliable sources than he does.

Regarding whether the government deliberately recruited new members, Suchat clarified that such decisions are the party leadership's domain, not his. He is only one MP among 197 and not a party executive committee member. He credited PM Anutin Charnvirakul with steering both party and government direction.

Asked if the news was meant to overshadow reports about the red and green parties, Suchat said all 500 MPs follow media reports—nobody has the real facts. "It's political theater. When there's a news source, whether it's true or false depends on the source the media received," he explained.

Challenging predictions the government won't survive its full term, Suchat asserted that Anutin's administration is strong and all ministers are confident in their work. He drew on his six to seven years in previous cabinets since 2019, noting that every government faces problems manufactured by opponents trying to undermine it.

"If the government stands firm, as the PM says—standing by working for the nation and its people—nothing can harm it," Suchat said. Asked about multiple current crises surrounding the government, he downplayed them. "These problems are still fewer and less severe than the COVID-19 era. That was the most dangerous—a national crisis far scarier than today. Both PM Anutin and I lived through that. He was Deputy PM and Health Minister responsible for the whole country, facing much heavier problems than now. I was Labor Minister overseeing some 10 million workers. The truly frightening problems are those that become global crises or things beyond our control."

PHUKET: Local authorities are stepping up firearms controls, checkpoints and security at schools following the school shooting in Nonthaburi last Friday (Aug 7).

At 9:40 a.m. on August 11, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the Prime Minister has approved the first off-site cabinet meeting in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, scheduled for August 31–September 1. The meeting on August 31 will include field visits, and the cabinet session will focus on tackling problems in five southern provinces—Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat—to address livelihood issues and outdated urban planning frameworks.

Phipat noted that he met with the five provincial governors and private-sector representatives on August 9 to prepare for the session. A summary meeting will be held at the Government House on August 25, where all five provinces will present projects aimed at stimulating the economy and propose changes, particularly to zoning and urban planning regulations that have been in use for a long time.

He stressed that budget-framework discussions are not the focus; rather, the private sector will present their needs and proposals. Initial proposals will center on vocational promotion and economic revitalization, especially in the three southern border provinces, which have the nation's lowest average incomes. As the Prime Minister has tasked him with overseeing 14 southern provinces, he seized the opportunity to bring issues of five provinces to the cabinet agenda.

Regarding flooding, Phipat clarified that it is a separate matter. A disaster-management meeting for the 14 southern provinces was already held on August 7, with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation handling flood prevention. He asked provinces to submit their proposals through the provincial governors.

On the Missing Link project, Phipat stated that the Prime Minister assigned Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul to review the land bridge proposal, which has now been shelved or cancelled. The Port Authority of Ranong requires further study. He directed the Transport Ministry's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to assess whether Ranong Port is suitable for development and public investment, or whether an alternative location should be surveyed.

Phipat added that he would discuss the land bridge with protesters, noting that an memorandum of understanding was signed committing that the term "land bridge" would not be revived. With Anutin's cancellation, the matter is closed. However, developing an Andaman-coast port remains strategically important and an opportunity for Thailand. The choice of port location along the Andaman coast—among Satun, Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Ranong—depends on feasibility, though Phuket is unlikely to be selected.

Krungsri Research's weekly economic assessment finds global energy supply disruptions will continue despite Iran and Oman agreeing on shipping protocols through the Strait of Hormuz, with the outcome depending primarily on U.S.-Iran negotiations. High barriers to talks remain after Iran considered legislation banning U.S., Israeli, and hostile nation vessels, keeping energy prices elevated.

The U.S. labor market contracted more than expected in July, with non-farm employment falling 23,000 positions against a forecast of 88,000 gains, while hourly wages slowed to 3.2% year-on-year from 3.4%, below the 3.5% expectation. Despite inflation remaining above the 2.0% target amid high energy prices and trade tariff risks, weakening employment and wage growth are expected to ease demand-side inflation pressure, likely supporting the Federal Reserve in holding policy rates at 3.50-3.75% through year-end.

China's exports drive growth amid weak domestic consumption, with high-tech goods expanding over 50% for a third straight month. The trade war with the U.S. is expected to continue in limited form, with average tariff rates potentially rising but unlikely to exceed previously agreed levels, while controls on advanced technology and military-related goods will remain ongoing policy tools.

Thailand's third-quarter economy benefits from government stimulus measures but faces uncertainty ahead. By end-July, the "Thai Help Thai Plus" program had distributed 86.4 billion baht total—49.6 billion from the government and 36.8 billion from public participation. General inflation eased to 1.95% in July from 2.42% in June due to fuel price adjustments, though processed food prices rose broadly, pushing core inflation to 1.34% from 1.23%.

Despite improved spending and moderating inflation in Q3, Thailand faces economic headwinds ahead: consumption stimulus may fade as Q4's "Thai Travel Thai Plus" carries only 1.75-2 billion baht versus the 120 billion baht in the Help Thai Plus program; medium to long-term measures, particularly the 200 billion baht energy transition investment plan, remain unclear; and cost pressures from high producer prices (PPI at +7.26% in July) may gradually pass through to consumers, squeezing household purchasing power.