A dashcam video of a confrontation between an Israeli tourist family and a tuk-tuk driver in Patong, Phuket has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread backlash. The incident unfolded on the evening of August 9 when an Israeli family of five initially attempted to negotiate a fare to Patong Beach but failed to agree on a price. Shortly after, an Australian couple boarded the same tuk-tuk, but when the Israeli family returned and requested to share the ride, the driver refused because the vehicle was already occupied.

The situation escalated into a heated dispute. According to the driver, the Israeli man demanded that the Australian couple exit the vehicle so his family could use it instead, but the driver declined. The confrontation intensified with aggressive language, shouting, and the Israeli man allegedly attempting to lift a concrete block from the roadside, which the driver feared would be used to attack him, though the man was unable to lift it. The entire incident was partially captured on the dashcam and subsequently posted online, where it attracted considerable criticism.

The driver, who has worked in Phuket's tourism industry for decades, expressed disapproval of the behavior and stressed that such aggressive conduct and verbal abuse should never occur in a tourist destination. The post has generated extensive commentary condemning the Israeli tourist's actions, with particular focus on the dispute over the fare and the attempt to force the Australian passengers off the vehicle.

CKPower Develops Water Forecasting System to Counter El Niño Trend

Thanawat Triwiswawet, Managing Director of CK Power Public Company Limited (CKP), announced the company's operating results for Q2 2025 and the first half of 2025. CKPower recorded net operating profits of 210 million baht in Q2 and 326 million baht in the first half, representing a 40% and 22% decline respectively compared to the same periods last year. The decline was primarily attributed to reduced electricity sales revenue from Bangpain Cogeneration (BIC) and Num Electricity 2 (NN2), coupled with higher fuel costs at BIC in Q2. However, the company's share of net operating profits from XPCL totaled 318 million and 517 million baht in Q2 and the first half respectively, up 49% and 134% year-on-year. This growth was driven by increased water flow through the Sayaboury hydropower plant, which boosted electricity sales, and lower financing costs from ongoing loan repayments and reduced interest rates. XPCL's strong performance helped offset the declining results from NN2 and BIC, and supported CKP's overall operations.

Regarding water conditions at the end of June 2025, the Num Electricity 2 hydropower plant's reservoir level stood at 355 meters above mean sea level, comparable to the same period last year despite lower inflow. The average water flow through the Sayaboury hydropower plant remained 15% higher than the previous year. Weather forecasts indicate potential El Niño conditions in the second half of 2025. To prepare, the company is developing a Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Forecasting System to enhance efficiency and accuracy in forecasting power generation capacity for its hydropower plants.

For the Luang Prabang hydropower project, construction progress reached 77% as of end-June 2025, on schedule. The Feed-in Tariff renewable energy project under Bangkhenchai Company (BKC), with a 6-megawatt installed capacity under a power purchase agreement with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), has commenced construction with commercial operations targeted for 2026 under a 25-year contract.

Financial position as of 30 June 2025 shows the company maintaining a liquidity ratio of 2.49 times and a net interest-bearing debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52 times, indicating appropriate liquidity management and debt repayment capacity. Lower average interest rate trends compared to last year are expected to reduce XPCL's financing costs and support operations in the second half of 2025. The company continues to monitor interest rate trends and manage its long-term debt structure accordingly.

BANGKOK: The Bank of Thailand is planning to require banks to scrutinise customers who buy high-value property with cash as part of efforts to prevent illicit financial activities.

The Ministry of Culture's Department of Cultural Promotion invites musicians and performance groups from across Thailand to apply for the "Traditional Thai Music to Contemporary Music" program, which aims to preserve traditional Thai musical heritage and develop contemporary works. Participants will enhance their skills, learn from experts, and access creative platforms that can lead to professional opportunities and cultural economic benefits. The program blends traditional knowledge with modern musical concepts and techniques, enabling artists to create works that maintain Thai identity while adapting to current social and creative industry contexts, ultimately building sustainable cultural and economic value for the nation. Participants will attend practical workshops led by national experts in traditional, international, and contemporary music, covering harmony arrangement, ensemble performance, artist branding, sound and stage management, and other techniques. This training enables musicians to develop careers and generate income while networking with artists from diverse regions across the country. The program also includes regional field assessments by specialists to select performers from the North, Central, South, and Northeast for a showcase concert in Bangkok alongside the band ASIA 7, which is known for seamlessly blending traditional Thai instruments with international pop and world music sounds. This offers artists valuable opportunities to exchange experience with successful professionals and present Thai traditional music to the public, strengthening professional networks and opening pathways to the music and creative industries. The Department of Cultural Promotion welcomes applications from traditional and contemporary musicians nationwide who are passionate about music and wish to develop creative skills based on Thai wisdom, while contributing to the cultural industry through music, creativity, and Thailand's unique cultural capital. Applications are open from August 10-31, 2026. Interested participants can find details and apply via the Facebook page "Activities Promoting Traditional Thai Music to Contemporary Music" or contact the Department of Cultural Promotion's Arts Learning Promotion Group at 0-2247-0013, extensions 4121-4122.

At 9:30 a.m. on August 11, 2025, family members and associates of Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenpraseert, former Nonthaburi Provincial Administrator, arrived at the Police Medical Institute to claim his body for religious rites. The family brought white clothing to dress him for the ceremony. His youngest daughter, Nanthasai Yenpraseert, 37, addressed the controversy over an alleged 11 million baht debt, saying "the truth is one and only. All residents of Nonthaburi know and understand well what kind of person my father was. My father only gave and helped Nonthaburi people throughout his working life. If my father were not a good person, he would not have served as provincial administrator for four to five consecutive terms. He was fully capable and ready to make sacrifices for the people of Nonthaburi." Regarding claims from the other party that they were friends, she said the matter should be resolved through the legal system and left to police investigators. When asked whether the other party could pay respects at the funeral, the family did not answer any further questions and entered the reception room.

The Office of the Commission on Science, Research and Innovation (OSRI) has announced it will host the 3rd Thailand Talent Summit 2026 in partnership with the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the National Research Council of Thailand, fund management units, and network partners in the science, research and innovation ecosystem. Director Professor Sompoang Khlaihongsawang of OSRI unveiled the conference at a press briefing held at the Eastin Grand Hotel Bangkok, themed "Fostering Thailand Future; Advancing Innovation and National Impact."

The event will serve as a central forum connecting junior researchers, senior researchers, experts, and both public and private sector organizations to exchange knowledge and experience across generations and disciplines, strengthening collaborative networks and transforming research into practical applications. The summit will feature research presentations, knowledge exchanges with leading researchers, skill-development activities, policy updates, and networking opportunities, with an expected attendance of over 2,500 participants from government, private sector, policy agencies, fund managers, and media.

Professor Sompoang emphasized the importance of young researchers selecting projects that address significant public problems, working with patience and academic integrity, developing continuous expertise, maintaining ethics, and collaborating across disciplines. He called for comprehensive support including research funding, infrastructure, mentorship systems, and clear career advancement pathways, and envisioned the summit evolving into a year-round network with mechanisms to track collaborative outcomes and drive concrete research impact through shared resources.