The chairman of the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations said the Thai stock market has rebounded strongly from 1,250 points to above 1,600 points earlier this year, but the uptrend is far from over, citing five factors that could drive another 10% or greater gains over the next 12 months.

Paiboon Nalinthrangkurn, chief executive of Tisco Securities and chairman of the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, shared his positive outlook on Facebook, noting that the SET index has climbed nearly 30% since the start of the year and is now outperforming global and emerging markets.

The five supporting factors are: First, the global economy is stronger than expected. Despite geopolitical tensions and trade friction, the International Monetary Fund forecasts global growth of 3.0% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, with corporate profits continuing to grow worldwide, driven significantly by investment in the AI ecosystem.

Second, global inflation remains controlled. Although energy prices have risen due to Middle East tensions, inflationary pressure is not as severe as in 2022–2023, allowing major central banks to avoid aggressive interest rate hikes—a supportive environment for equities.

Third, Thailand stands to benefit from manufacturing relocation and global supply chain restructuring. Thailand's geographic position, political neutrality, and infrastructure give it a competitive edge in attracting foreign direct investment in emerging industries. Foreign direct investment in AI, data centers, semiconductors, and electric vehicles has increased significantly, with FDI promotion applications in the first half of 2025 nearly matching the entire 2024 total of 1.36 trillion baht. If this translates into sustained real investment, it will provide a new growth engine and lift Thailand's long-term economic potential.

Fourth, the Thai economy is laying the foundation for a new growth cycle. Though structural challenges remain—high household debt, an aging society, weak competitiveness, and low productivity—the government is taking action to address these issues and create new growth drivers, particularly in AI infrastructure, the digital economy, and future industries. The International Monetary Fund forecasts Thai GDP growth of 1.9% in 2026 and 2.2% in 2027. While not high, if sustained new investment materializes, the economy could return to 3% or higher growth sustainably.

Fifth, corporate earnings and market fundamentals are recovering. Bloomberg Consensus forecasts SET earnings per share will rise from 80.8 baht in 2024 to 106 baht in 2025 and 114 baht in 2026. The SET is trading at approximately 14.8 times forward price-to-earnings, or 12.6 times excluding Delta, which is not expensive compared to other regional markets. Additionally, 61% of Thai listed companies are still trading below book value, indicating that market recovery has not spread across all companies. Foreign investors are beginning to return as net buyers after selling Thai stocks for several years, suggesting that fund flows could return to the market.

Paiboon noted that in the long term, the Jump+ program and Corporate Value Up Program will help improve the quality and value of Thai listed companies. However, the market must still navigate volatility from geopolitical risks, trade wars, inflation, and U.S. interest rate direction. Domestic risks remain centered on politics; if investors lose confidence in government stability, it could shock the Thai stock market.

Seven lead actors from the Duang With You Series transformed Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani into a venue filled with smiles, brightness, and happiness. Titi Wanpichit, Po Suphakar, North Chatchapol, Otto Saranun, Thir Therati, Wave Thanaphut, and Hugh Phuwichaya brought their on-screen chemistry and success to the stage at the Duang Go Round concert presented by True5G on August 15-16, 2025.

The two-night concert kicked off with Titi and Po making a dramatic entrance on a carousel descending from above the hall, performing the song Baby with dazzling light shows and full-circle 360-degree staging that brought them close to fans throughout the venue. Their mascot Bokbear joined the opening rap segment, followed by all seven actors performing the series soundtrack including the hit song "Jib Mai Job (Someday, Say Yes)." Surprise guest appearances added extra excitement, with Jinwook and Phutatchai of BUS joining on night one and Copper and Marckris of BUS on night two.

The concert showcased individual talents through solo stages, with Thir delivering a heart-melting performance in "Thee Rak (You)," Hugh bringing smooth energy with "Where Did You Come From," Wave performing the catchy "Move Around," North commanding the stage with "Nakorn Dara," Otto stunning with sharp dance moves in "Pinky Up," and North and Otto teaming up for a sleek duet on "Baddie." Titi closed out the performances with a high-energy solo featuring both singing and dancing in "Just Right" followed by the explosive "Guilty" with flame effects on stage, while special guests Orn Sripan and Nunew Chawarin appeared on respective nights to create memorable moments with the cast.

On August 19, 2025, Chardchai Liaopairojaon, a Democratic Party list MP and deputy party leader, posted a video and statement on Facebook regarding the National Digital Economy and Society Committee's TH-AI Passport program, which opened early registration on de.aipass.net ahead of the official August 31 launch.

Chardchai said she reviewed the privacy policy and terms of service carefully and discovered critical language stating: "The platform cannot process commands and provide responses without sending data to the AI model you select. If you do not wish for your data to be processed this way, you cannot use the service." She highlighted that the Digital Economy Ministry has effectively acknowledged in its own documents that sending Thai citizen data overseas for processing is not optional but mandatory.

"This directly contradicts the Thailand digital roadmap section 2.2, which clearly requires the program to store and process data within Thailand with maximum protection under Thai personal data laws," Chardchai stated. "This is no longer just opposition concern—it is documented fact."

Chardchai outlined three priority demands: First, no further budget disbursement until clear and transparent clarification on the contradiction between the roadmap and actual operating conditions. Second, full disclosure of revised contract details, particularly regarding the pay-per-use payment model. Third, registration numbers must not be used as a value metric, as she predicted the ministry may use these figures to claim legitimacy while citizens may only have registered without actually using the service or developing intended skills.

Chardchai emphasized the greatest risk is that early registrations could be counted as active users to justify immediate per-head payments despite no actual service use or skill development occurring. She vowed not to stop scrutiny simply because of impressive registration numbers, stating that the legislative branch's duty is to protect national interest and every baht of taxpayer money.

A mysterious man on a gray-black Honda Wave motorcycle with an unknown license plate and a food delivery bag arrived at Pa Adulya Ram Monastery late at night on August 19. CCTV captured him entering through the Kalppaphruek Road gate and parking near the abbot's quarters. The short-haired man, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and three-quarter-length pants, was confronted by a resident monk who asked him why he had come. He responded aggressively, asking the monk if he was the one who filmed videos during the monastery siege, then claimed he himself had done the filming. The monk became alarmed when the man walked back to his motorcycle and began reaching into the food delivery bag, fearing a potential attack. He retreated to his quarters to prepare a weapon for self-defense, then witnessed the man hastily drive away through the rear gate around 10:30 p.m. The man appeared to be intoxicated. The monk later called the 191 emergency line, and Khon Kaen City Police arrived at the scene. This incident has raised concerns that the ongoing dispute over land ownership claims involving the monastery's heirs will not be resolved easily, as this confrontation appears to be an intentional provocation. Since the incident, a red donation box has been installed, and police have increased security patrols at the monastery, though visitors have been few due to the recent rain.

Thailand and Australia agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, with a focus on tackling transnational crime, expanding economic ties and strengthening cooperation in science and innovation, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Wednesday.

Anutin and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held bilateral talks and a joint press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on 19 August, during Anutin's first official visit to Australia by a Thai prime minister in 14 years.

The visit comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Australia next year.

The two countries upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2020. Their latest talks covered four main areas: politics and security; economic, trade and innovation cooperation; culture and people-to-people ties; and regional and multilateral cooperation.

On security, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation against traditional and emerging threats, particularly transnational crime, including online scams, human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering.

The two governments welcomed a Joint Statement on Transnational Crime, aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent and combat cross-border crime at bilateral, regional and global levels.

The leaders also welcomed a Leaders' Statement on Deepening Economic Engagement, which seeks to make greater use of the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement, expand bilateral trade and investment in key sectors, and support a rules-based multilateral trading system.

Thailand and Australia also welcomed a Letter of Intent between Thailand's National Science and Technology Development Agency and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to expand cooperation in science, research and innovation.

On defence, Anutin welcomed an Australian proposal to establish a biennial Thailand-Australia Defence Ministers' Meeting to strengthen defence cooperation and support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The two countries' defence ministries will coordinate to establish the mechanism as soon as possible.

Anutin also highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through education, innovation and skills development. He praised the contribution of the Thai community to Australian society and noted Thailand's continued popularity as a destination for Australian tourists.

At the regional level, Thailand and Australia will work more closely through ASEAN, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, the Mekong-Australia Partnership and other relevant frameworks.

Anutin also thanked Australia for its continued support for Thailand's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Albanese expressed Australia's readiness to deepen cooperation with Thailand across a range of areas, particularly the fight against transnational crime and economic cooperation.

On August 19, Supachai Patumnakuland, Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and chairman of the National Science Museum board, delivered a keynote address at the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres Conference 2026 (ASPAC 2026). His speech, titled "Empowering Future Generations: The Role of Science Museums in Building Resilient and Sustainable Societies," was held during the National Science and Technology Festival at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Muang Thonburi.

Supachai emphasized that science museums must evolve to meet modern global challenges including climate change, demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological advancement. He stressed that learning can no longer be confined to formal education systems but must embrace lifelong learning as a fundamental national infrastructure under Thailand's 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2028–2032). He noted that without improving human capital—knowledge, skills, and adaptive capacity—technology cannot achieve sustainability.

"We can no longer operate science museums in their traditional form as mere exhibition venues," Supachai said. "We must transform them into platforms for lifelong science learning within an ecosystem of science, technology, and innovation that shows the public that science belongs to everyone and can be applied to everyday life."

He outlined five key roles for future science museums: (1) building scientific literacy and providing out-of-classroom experiences for children and youth; (2) serving as lifelong learning platforms for all ages, supporting upskilling and reskilling; (3) fostering future literacy and skills through inspiration spaces such as the Futurium, which opens doors to future careers; (4) developing innovative tools using emerging technologies like AR and VR to enhance and democratize learning experiences; and (5) creating inclusive learning ecosystems through media, learning kits, and digital channels to reduce inequality and extend knowledge to remote communities.

Science museums must also bridge the gap between the public and the scientific community to build trust and shared understanding in science.