At 2 p.m. on August 7, 2026, Phatranun Noi Chinda, deputy district officer of Sangkhla Buri in Kanchanaburi province, led administrative officials conducting routine checks at a checkpoint on Highway 323 in Sangkhla Buri. They flagged down a brown Toyota Vigo pickup truck registered in Kanchanaburi and heading toward Thong Pha Phum district for inspection.

The search revealed a 28-year-old driver without identification documents. Hidden inside the vehicle were 12 Myanmar nationals—10 men and 1 woman—crammed tightly together. Three of them were lying flat and concealed under plastic mesh netting. None could speak Thai, and none possessed passports or legal documents permitting residence in Thailand.

Investigators determined the group had traveled from Phaya Tong Zu in Myanmar via natural border crossing points, alternating between walking and riding in vehicles. All 12 individuals, including the driver, were handed over to Sangkhla Buri Police Station for legal proceedings.

Democratic Republic of the Congo health authorities have quarantined nearly 200 passengers aboard a river vessel after one passenger died from symptoms consistent with Ebola. The DRC has been battling an Ebola outbreak since May, marking the fastest-spreading epidemic in history. Africa CDC Director Dr. Jean Kasaya reports 4,053 confirmed cases with at least 1,850 deaths. According to Kasaya, the sick passenger disembarked in Pimú, Mongala province, more than 1,000 kilometers from Kinshasa along the Congo River nearly three weeks ago and subsequently died. Officials have not disclosed the boat's current location beyond saying it is near the capital, and no confirmed cases have been reported in Kinshasa itself. The status of the nearly 200 quarantined passengers—whether confined to the vessel or on land—and the duration of quarantine remain unclear, though authorities say they are awaiting test results. DRC authorities report that 60-70 percent of new cases in this outbreak occur in people with no known contact with infected individuals, indicating the epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, dozens of healthcare workers in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, are staging protests demanding unpaid wages, with many abandoning their posts and obstructing treatment of critical patients.

Saint Gabriel School has announced a comprehensive security upgrade following a violent incident at another well-known secondary school in Bangkok's Samesena area, where students attacked a classmate and threatened them with a firearm. The school has implemented seven major security measures, including installation of metal and weapon detection systems at all entrances, mandatory bag inspections for all students, vehicle screening for outside visitors, strict access control requiring ID passes for parents and outsiders, enhanced surveillance of high-risk areas and times, behavioral monitoring to detect violence and bullying, and coordination with police and relevant agencies.

The school is requesting that parents complete student drop-offs by 7:50 a.m. and vacate school grounds promptly, except when authorized or needing to contact school offices. The new protocols apply to screening of students, parents, and all persons entering the campus, with temporary passes required for those without proper identification.

On August 7, 2025, at Sisaket Provincial Hall, Governor Anurat Thammanprajamjit, Sisaket Provincial Police Commander Supachai Sakrinpanichkul, and officials from military, civilian administration, prison services, and related agencies announced the seizure of 2,646,000 methamphetamine pills—the largest drug bust in Sisaket's history. A civic informant tipped off authorities to 16 fertilizer sacks loaded on two push carts and hidden in a rice field in Noi Khun District. Governor Anurat emphasized that solving the drug problem requires cooperation from all sectors of society and urged citizens to report tips to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board hotline 1386 available 24 hours daily, the national police emergency line 191, or local police stations.

The province will continue Operation 90 Days to dismantle drug trafficking networks, seize assets from offenders, provide treatment to users, and build drug-free communities for sustainable quality of life and public safety. Police Commander Supachai revealed that authorities are gathering evidence to pursue accomplices still at large. The court has issued arrest warrants for two brothers, Tawan, 33, and An, 27, members of the "Cockfighting Den" drug network, with suspicion that more network members remain at large.

Supachai also warned about a new drug called "Happy Water" circulating in Sisaket, disguised as "collagen" or skin care products but containing methamphetamine powder or MDMA. The drugs can be mixed into drinking water and used immediately, producing stimulant effects similar to methamphetamine and MDMA. Large doses can cause seizures. This new counterfeit drug is easy to obtain and is spreading particularly in youth tourism areas and entertainment venues. Authorities urge the public and parents to watch for suspicious collagen or skin care products and report them to drug control hotlines 1386 or 191 for immediate investigation and legal action.

Disciples and students mourned the passing of Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol, the respected abbot of Wat Putthanimit (Phu Khao) in Kalasin Province, who died peacefully at age 71 after 38 years of monastic life on August 7, 2026. Many devotees arrived at Wat Putthanimit in Nong Seenuan, Sahasaksant District, to pay respects to the accomplished practitioner and commemorate his contributions to establishing the temple as a significant Buddhist sanctuary in Kalasin Province.

At 2:30 p.m., Phra Thammawitchiniwid, advisor to the Sangha Regional Council 9 and abbot of Wat Prachaniyom, presided over the funeral procession of Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol, with monks and followers in attendance to honor the late abbot through the ceremonial movement of his remains and the final bathing rite.

Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol was a dedicated practitioner of the Dhammayuttika sect with no formal ecclesiastical rank, known for his strict observance of discipline and mastery of vipassana meditation. He earned acclaim for building Wat Putthanimit as a sanctuary of religious and architectural beauty, including the preservation of the 2,000-year-old Phra Phuthai Sai Asan (reclining Buddha) statue, an important historical monument of Kalasin Province. He also oversaw the construction of a beautiful wooden ordination hall, a grand dharma hall stupa, and a courtyard depicting the Buddha's four postures, all of which have attracted numerous Buddhist devotees to the temple. Luang Por Nrong had resided and presided over Wat Putthanimit since 2528 B.E. (1985), when he transferred to the Dhammayuttika order under the guidance of Phra Thammawitchiniwid.

Anchalee Sreepituk, brand management and public relations manager at Thai Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., presented a YAMAHA FAZZIO Hybrid Lite motorcycle valued at 49,900 baht to Jae Jae Surakhup from the Rhino Chargers, the top scorer at the 2026 Junior Baller League youth basketball tournament.

The FAZZIO Hybrid Lite delivery embodies the concept "Feel The Unique Experience" through basketball, promoting and supporting the next generation of young athletes to showcase their talents and develop skills through a standard league format. Yamaha provided 100,000 baht in tournament funding and awarded the YAMAHA FAZZIO Hybrid Lite motorcycle valued at 49,900 baht to the season's top scorer, totaling 149,900 baht in support.

The 2026 Junior Baller League (JV division for ages 10–11) was created to develop young basketball players on a path toward professional careers through an international standard league competition over six months. This season, the Midnight Mambas claimed the championship title.

The award ceremony for the YAMAHA FAZZIO Hybrid Lite presentation to the Junior Baller League 2026 top scorer took place recently at Denla British School.