A social media post by a Malaysian tourist threatening to boycott Hat Yai has sparked debate after a group of Malaysian motorcyclists were fined by Thai police for traffic violations.

The Facebook user, who goes by the name Tok Singa, posted a video claiming that his group of 17 Malaysian motorcyclists received 15 tickets totaling about 15,000 baht during a traffic inspection by Hat Yai Police.

The post alleged that only one police officer handled the inspection, which took nearly three hours. It also claimed the group was threatened with detention if they delayed paying the fines, while some riders said their motorcycles still had factory-standard exhaust pipes and that police did not accept digital driving licences.

The video went viral and included a call for Malaysians to boycott Hat Yai, a popular destination for Malaysian tourists.

Hat Yai Police, however, disputed several of the claims.

Police Sergeant Major Veerasak Phansaeman, the officer involved in the incident, said he was directing traffic outside Hat Yai Police Station when he noticed a group of about 17 motorcycles from Malaysia.

Some motorcycles had modified flashing rear lights, while others appeared to have excessively loud exhaust systems, he said. Officers followed the group and stopped them at Dam Bridge intersection before bringing the motorcycles to the police station for a detailed inspection of documents, compulsory insurance, driving licences and vehicle equipment.

After inspecting all 17 motorcycles, police found violations involving nine vehicles and issued nine tickets, with total fines of 12,000 baht — not 15 tickets totaling 15,000 baht as claimed in the social media post.

Individual fines ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 baht, depending on the violation.

Veerasak said police used a sound-level meter in accordance with legal requirements when checking motorcycle exhaust noise. Officers first checked the manufacturer's noise-level plate, allowing an additional 5 decibels where applicable. If no plate was available, the limit was determined by the vehicle's registration date.

Motorcycles registered before 2024 are subject to a maximum limit of 95 decibels, while those registered from 1 January 2024 are limited to 90 decibels, he said.

Veerasak said officers explained the regulations to the Malaysian tourists and denied that police had mistreated or singled them out because they were foreigners.

"The video distorted some of the facts," he said, adding that officers had followed legal procedures and treated foreign tourists and Thai motorists equally.

He urged visitors driving into Thailand to familiarize themselves with local traffic laws and comply with them.

"Even though we are concerned about the impact on the tourism image, officers must uphold the law," Veerasak said.

He added that he did not expect the incident to have a significant impact on Hat Yai's tourism industry, saying most visitors comply with Thai laws.

Thailand's diving team is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games by bringing back Coach Baiyun Ping, a former Chinese national coach, to train two Thai athletes. Head coach Suchart Pichi explained that the team initially sought budget approval to send divers Thitiphumi Maksin and Chavalavat Chanphodawanl to train in China, but budget constraints led to inviting Coach Baiyun Ping to Thailand instead.

Coach Baiyun Ping, who previously coached Thailand's national diving team, is helping refine diving techniques and build strength in the two leading Thai athletes. The athletes are adjusting to his more intense training regimen, which is more demanding than their previous preparation. The diving federation also invited Ping to share knowledge and experience with Thailand's youth national team at Thammasat University's aquatic center.

Permanent employment of Coach Baiyun Ping is unlikely due to health constraints limiting long-term team management, though short-term assignments remain possible. Ping noted that Thai diving athletes are talented but lack internationally standard training equipment. Training in China provides better facilities, though he would willingly coach in Thailand if proper equipment becomes available. Ping previously served as Mexico's diving coach starting in 2005, leading them to a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games before his return to assist Thailand.

The Energy Ministry is pushing the "solar rooftop" program, enabling citizens to install solar panels for free with no upfront payment, repaying costs through their electricity bills using monthly savings. Conclusions are expected within a month. Energy Ministry spokesperson Pongsapol Yodemuangcharoen said the ministry, led by Energy Minister Eknathai Saipangphan, has removed critical barriers by eliminating restrictions and streamlining the solar installation permit process to completion within seven days, and grid connection approvals to 30 days—previously taking a year. The government has also expanded clean energy purchases from the public by an additional 500 megawatts and is implementing the Finance Ministry's 500 million baht budget initiative to support rooftop solar installations. State financial institutions including the Government Savings Bank and Government Housing Bank will provide low-interest lending through an "install free, pay via electricity bill" model with these details: No upfront cost—the state subsidizes approximately 50,000 baht per household, targeting one million homes, plus low-interest credit (2-4 percent annually) from state banks. Repayment from electricity savings—participants use monthly electricity bill reductions to pay monthly installments. Immediate results—a 5kW system produces roughly 600 units monthly, saving approximately 2,150–2,200 baht per month; with payback in 5-7 years, monthly payments remain lower than savings, so residents see reduced electricity costs from the first month. "This elevates Thais to 'Prosumers'—both producers and consumers—or energy entrepreneurs achieving energy independence. Every 1,000 megawatts of rooftop solar Thailand produces reduces average electricity costs by 0.9 satang per unit. If this one-million-rooftop initiative succeeds—equivalent to 5,000 megawatts—it will cut expensive LNG imports and permanently reduce the national average electricity rate by nearly 5 satang per unit. This policy benefits all stakeholders: citizens reduce expenses, the state cuts energy imports, and the world gains clean power. We await clarity on the program model from the utility and expect conclusions in about a month. I want to see the million-rooftop solar initiative realized in Thailand and am ready to champion this policy to the fullest," Pongsapol said.

The Ministry of Education has rejected calls to relax student hair regulations, saying it has no direct authority to impose or set hairstyle rules. On August 18, Education Minister Prasert Chantharueangthong revealed after a Cabinet meeting that the ministry had prepared a report on recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission regarding student hair rights and guidelines, submitted to the Cabinet for acknowledgment. This followed the Cabinet's referral of the commission's recommendations to the ministry for consideration since 2024.

The minister stated that the commission's recommendations contained two key points. First, the commission proposed that the ministry clarify student rights and freedoms regarding hairstyles to prevent rights violations or unnecessary restrictions. However, the ministry concluded it has no direct power to issue regulations on student hairstyles, as such internal school policies fall under the authority and management of individual schools. The ministry already has clear guidelines on this matter, established since 2023 following advice from the Office of the Council of State, which require schools to bring the hair issue into discussions involving school committees, teachers, parents, and students to reach conclusions suited to each school's context.

"Regarding the second point, the commission proposed that the ministry amend the Child Protection Act of 2003 to explicitly recognize student hair rights in law. However, the ministry concluded that the act's core purpose focuses on child safety, and matters of dress or hairstyles fall outside the law's scope. Therefore, student hair rights cannot be directly legislated through this law, as it may conflict with the law's intent and scope," the minister said.

Prasert added that this Cabinet report represents the ministry's completion of its review of the commission's recommendations. The ministry continues to emphasize that schools should handle hair policies appropriately, creating space for all parties—especially students—to voice their opinions, ensuring school management aligns with context while respecting student rights alongside school regulations.

CJ MORE supermarket held its fifth Golden Microphone On-Tour event at the Wat Ma Byang Phorn branch in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong on Saturday, August 15, 2025. The event transformed the storefront activity area in the heart of the industrial zone into a space for factory workers and young people to recharge and relieve stress after grueling daily shifts. This Rayong stop marked the official season finale following successful tours of branches in Sakaeo, Chachoengsao, Surin, Ayutthaya, and Phitsanulok, with the company grateful for the warm reception from local industrial communities.

Pluak Daeng was selected as the final destination because it is a major hub for migrant workers from provinces across Thailand working away from home. CJ MORE and partner brands brought a nationwide entertainment lineup to the factory gates, allowing workers to shop and enjoy free entertainment without spending time and fuel traveling into Rayong city. The day featured an atmosphere where workers in uniforms and work clothes took turns singing, sharing messages and homesickness for their hometowns, with Thai country music serving as a unifying language connecting migrant hearts and creating a warm community that helped ease loneliness.

Judges and hosts from the "Golden Microphone Three Generations" programme on Workpoint TV Channel 23 provided guidance and nationwide-level experience. After intense competition throughout the day, the judging panel of Pauli Prapimol, Leo Atthip Soda, and Jakrapong Hanphirom selected two finalists to advance to the television programme: Kosol Geatsuk, a 31-year-old poultry vendor from Sisaket Province, and Anupong Inrueangsiree, a 27-year-old from Kalasin Province. Both expressed excitement about the opportunity and praised CJ MORE's professional production with its lighting, sound, and overall organisation.