Phetchaburi — National park rangers have begun investigating the death of a large male wild gaur discovered shot multiple times outside Khao Yai National Park boundaries. The carcass was reported by local residents on August 5, 2569 in Moo 8, Ban Phu Bon, Hat Kham Subdistrict, Kui Buri District, Phetchaburi Province.

Initial examination revealed multiple wound marks on the animal's back and left side. Metal detection scans identified what appear to be embedded bullet fragments within the wounds, prompting officials to arrange an immediate necropsy with a veterinary team and to gather evidence for prosecution if poaching is confirmed.

Nithat Nunsong, director of the Region 3 Protected Area Management Office in Phetchaburi, reported that rangers received a tip from local residents about the carcass. The animal was estimated to be 21–25 years old, weighing 900–1,000 kilograms, with a body length of 240 centimeters and height of 160 centimeters. The horns spanned 72 centimeters tip to tip, with a maximum spread of 77 centimeters.

Detailed examination of the carcass revealed multiple puncture wounds approximately 1×1 centimeter in size across the backbone and left abdomen. Metal detector scans confirmed metallic objects resembling bullet tips embedded in the wound areas. Officials scheduled a thorough necropsy for August 5, 2569 to confirm the cause of death and collect forensic evidence.

The director stated that if the autopsy confirms the gaur was killed by gunfire, the national park chief will file charges against the perpetrator under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562, with an urgent pursuit for prosecution. Additionally, all units have been instructed to intensify quality patrols and coordinate with surrounding communities to prevent further wildlife poaching. The public is urged to report any wildlife or natural resource violations to the Region 3 Protected Area Management Office or the Department of National Parks hotline 1362, available 24 hours daily.

Nanthapon Jirawalesspong, director of the Ministry of Commerce's trade policy and strategy office, announced that Thailand's general consumer price index for July 2025 stood at 102.10, representing a 1.95% year-on-year increase. The rise marks a slowdown from June's 2.42% but remains continuously positive due to domestic fuel prices staying elevated compared to the previous year, driven by ongoing Middle East conflicts that push public transportation costs higher. Processed food prices have risen broadly and significantly, with some food ingredients gradually increasing, while fresh vegetables are higher than last year due to low base prices and weak El Niño effects.

The 1.95% inflation comprised a 1.88% rise in non-food and beverage categories, driven by elevated domestic fuel prices, public transport fares, and international airfares, alongside a 2.04% increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages from higher prices in items like pre-cooked meals, fresh vegetables, rice, and eggs. Energy prices moderated month-on-month—gasohol dropped from 37–38 baht per liter to 36.16 baht, while diesel fell 3.33% from 39.31 to 35.98 baht per liter.

Core inflation (excluding fresh food and energy) accelerated to 1.34% from 1.23% in June, while the seven-month average (January–July 2025) rose 1.21% year-over-year. Nanthapon warned that August inflation is expected to remain positive due to sustained high fuel prices from continued Middle East tensions and new military operations, persistently elevated food prices with broad menu increases, rising transportation costs, and fresh vegetable prices higher than the prior year. Offsetting pressures include slightly lower electricity rates and declining fresh fruit prices from ample supply. The Ministry maintains its 2025 inflation forecast at 1.5–2.5%.

BLCP Power Plant is spearheading the Rayong Zero Food Waste 2026 project at the Knowledge & Experience Expo, joining forces with government agencies, local authorities, and communities to transition Rayong toward a low-carbon economy. The initiative showcases innovative waste management techniques, including the use of black soldier fly larvae (BSF) to process food waste and converting leaf scraps into soil to reduce municipal landfill burdens. The goal is to advance the province toward a low-carbon, circular economy through knowledge-sharing seminars titled "Rayong Without Waste: Transforming Garbage into Resources for Sustainable Environment."

The event was presided over by Deputy Governor Kalachai Thepwarchai, alongside representatives from government, private sector, and community members. Adisor Wangmoon, BLCP Power's Director of Administration and Corporate Relations, explained that the initiative began as a solution to manage leaf waste from the power plant's grounds. The team then expanded into food waste management after the plant's cafeteria, which serves 300–1,000 employees daily during maintenance periods, generated significant organic waste. After studying waste management centers in Bangkok for over a year, they discovered black soldier fly larvae, which are five times more efficient than earthworms at decomposing organic matter, processing up to 2.5 kilograms of food waste in just 12 hours while eliminating odor and producing no disease risk.

The BSF larvae produce valuable byproducts: their manure is processed into organic fertilizer for agriculture, while the larvae themselves serve as protein sources for animal feed including chickens and fish, and are being developed into dog treats. With support from Mab Tapud municipality, the team has expanded to produce feed for dogs, chickens, and cats, and plans to open a learning center for public visits. This circular economy approach transforms waste into economically, socially, and environmentally valuable resources, with the environmental expertise now being shared across government and local agencies.

At Wat Klang Bang Phra in Nakhon Pathom, devotees gathered on August 5, 2025, to pay respects and make merit at the sacred Luang Pho Somhuang Buddha image, a 30-meter-tall statue revered by both Thais and foreigners. The serene temple atmosphere was filled with worshippers seeking blessings for business success, property sales, family matters, and career advancement, with many reporting fulfilling their wishes. Devotees brought offerings of eggs and fruit to present to the Buddha statue, then climbed up to touch its hand before descending to receive blessings at an outdoor blessing point, concluding with the ringing of a victory bell. Nang Malay Jongvisudjai, 60, a devotee from Chaiyaphum, shared that she regularly visits Luang Pho Somhuang and frequently wins the lottery after requesting blessings. This time she drew numbers 6, 2, and 5 from an egg lottery, and also prayed for her family's safety and success in life, asking the sacred image to protect them from the dangers and crime she sees in today's world.

On August 5, 2025, the Thai Social Insurance Reform Team, led by Sathsathum Thammabusadee, filed suit at the Central Administrative Court to annul the postponement of Social Insurance Board elections and to order the elections proceed as originally scheduled on September 27, 2025, with voting open to all eligible members without mandatory advance registration.

Thammabusadee argued that the administrative court's ruling only suspended the advance registration requirement, not the entire election process. However, the Social Insurance Election Commission has stalled all proceedings, which he characterizes as acting beyond the court's mandate and misusing the court order as a pretext to obstruct insurance reform.

He suggested that the indefinite postponement may reflect political strategy by power networks within the Labor Ministry attempting to delay restoration of members' authority. The previous board's term expired in February, yet delays have left the fund adrift for over five months without active leadership—an abnormal state, as balloting should have occurred in May and a new board should already be in place. Despite 70 percent of election procedures already completed, only the ballot casting remains, yet the commission continues to exceed its authority.

The reform team called on Labor Minister Julapan Amornwivat to proceed with elections as scheduled if he genuinely intends to reform the insurance system as promised, and to prevent the old power faction from distorting information. They emphasized that the Social Insurance Office possesses sufficient budget, personnel, and readiness to conduct the September 27 election as planned, thereby restoring democratic process to the fund and reassuring over 10 million members.

BANGKOK: As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to introduce a 3% hotel tax to increase revenue, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the authority to begin with a lower rate of 0.5-1% and provide additional support to help tourism operators affected by the Middle East conflict.