RAYONG — A food vendor was injured when her van crashed into a large wild elephant crossing Route 344 (Ban Bueng–Klaeng) in Rayong province at approximately 03:15 on August 10, 2026, near the Pa Yup Nai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation at kilometre marker 71+100.

Rescue workers found the van with severe front-end damage, shattered windscreen, and a collapsed roof and bonnet. The driver, who had been travelling with her son, sustained cuts to her head and face and was transported to a private hospital in Chon Buri for treatment.

According to her son Thanadon Khamdee, they were driving with goods for morning food sales when a large shape suddenly appeared crossing the road. In the darkness, they initially mistook it for a tree shadow. By the time they realised it was an elephant, they could not stop, and the van collided heavily with the animal.

The elephant cried out after impact and walked away into a nearby canal before disappearing into the forest toward a reservoir. Its injuries and current condition are unknown.

Wild elephant tracking teams have been deployed to search for the animal to assess injuries and arrange treatment if needed. Officials have urged motorists using Route 344, especially at night, to exercise caution and reduce speed in areas where wild elephants frequently cross. Drivers are advised not to sound horns or rev engines, but instead to stop at a safe distance if they encounter elephants.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chamklieng ordered the Forestry Department to mobilize forces for search operations following a water incident at Freedom Beach recreation area in Phuket on August 11, 2569. Officials received the initial report on August 10, prompting coordination with the Forestry Department and relevant agencies to launch comprehensive rescue efforts. At approximately 3:49 p.m., Freedom Beach staff notified emergency services after a German male tourist went missing while swimming. Police, the Phuket rescue unit, provincial administration, disaster prevention officials, and Patong Beach rescue teams were immediately alerted and coordinated a search operation with a command center established at Freedom Beach. The missing man was identified as 30-year-old Jannik Juergen Knobel. Despite red flag warnings issued due to strong waves and hazardous conditions, the incident occurred after he entered the water. All agencies launched immediate search and rescue operations. At 6:00 p.m., rescue teams temporarily suspended the search due to insufficient light and continuing rough seas, which posed risks to personnel safety. The search is planned to resume the following day when conditions improve and safer circumstances prevail. At 7:00 p.m., the Freedom Beach recreation area chief coordinated with the missing man's family to notify the German Embassy in Thailand and assisted with filing a police report at Karon Police Station, while arranging coordination for continued search efforts. Minister Suchart stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has directed the Forestry Department and local agencies to integrate cooperation from all sectors in the search and rescue operation while prioritizing staff safety and providing appropriate assistance to the missing man's family. The public and tourists are urged to follow official warnings and guidance, particularly during strong wave conditions or red flag alerts, to ensure everyone's safety.

Informa Markets Thailand is partnering with government agencies, organizations, and tourism business associations to launch Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026, combining four major exhibitions to drive comprehensive business opportunities in the tourism sector.

Thailand's tourism direction is shifting from emphasizing volume to prioritizing quality, in line with the government's 'Value over Volume' strategy, prompting service and tourism operators to accelerate their transformation. Informa Markets Thailand, alongside state partners and business associations representing tourism, hotels, restaurants, retail, and services, has announced plans to host Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026 alongside three co-hosted exhibitions: Hotel & Shop Plus Thailand, HOTELEX Thailand, and Agri Plus Expo 2026 to advance Thailand's tourism strategy.

Sarnchai Noombuonnoi, General Manager of Informa Markets Thailand, stated that the Tourism Authority of Thailand is implementing a 'Value over Volume' strategy to attract quality tourists and generate sustainable revenue, aligned with the concept 'Healing is the New Luxury.' The strategy operates through four pillars: world-class events, wellness tourism (longevity), culinary tourism, and rejuvenation tourism. Thailand aims to attract 33 million foreign tourists in 2026 and generate 1.5–1.55 trillion baht in revenue.

As the government reshapes Thailand's tourism direction, operators must elevate their products and services accordingly. Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026, scheduled for August 19–22, 2026, at the Siri Kitiyachai National Convention Center, will serve as a crucial gathering point uniting all sectors of the tourism, food, and service industries under the concept 'All Sectors, One Destination.' Attendees will access exhibitions from over 3,000 premium brands and innovative products from more than 20 countries across eight product zones, plus educational activities, competitions, seminars, and workshops led by experts across tourism, food, and service sectors.

This year's special feature is the inclusion of three international and national-level exhibitions alongside Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026. Hotel & Shop Plus Thailand showcases smart hotel products, amenities, spas, textiles, cleaning solutions, and interior design for hotels and commercial spaces. HOTELEX Thailand presents solutions for hotels and catering, featuring new food and beverage products, kitchen equipment, packaging, and service equipment. The event introduces a new franchise zone featuring hot pot, bakeries, tea shops, and desserts, plus Agri Plus Expo—organized by the Department of International Trade for the first time—connecting agricultural products, food innovations, and SMEs with buyers. The organizers expect over 30,000 Thai and regional operators to participate, and they invite all tourism, food, and service industry professionals to attend.

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.