Yamaha Motor Thailand has demonstrated concrete success in energy management and environmental stewardship, advancing the organization under its MIND 4-Dimension approach toward Net Zero goals and balanced growth. Pongsathon Uommongklai, executive chairman of Yamaha Motor Thailand, received the 2025 Prime Minister's Industry Award for Energy Management from Warawut Silparacha, the Minister of Industry, at a ceremony held on August 10, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of Miracle Grand Convention Hotel.

The award represents a significant achievement for Yamaha Motor Thailand, which previously won the same category award in 2020. The recognition reflects the company's sustained success in energy management and environmental operations, as well as its commitment to improving production efficiency while using resources responsibly and protecting the environment.

The success stems from collaboration across all management and employee levels in advancing energy conservation through upgraded machinery efficiency and production processes, implementing energy management following the 4 Pillars approach, applying technology and innovation to enhance energy efficiency, and fostering an organizational culture that values responsible energy use and environmental protection.

The achievement also reflects Yamaha Motor Thailand's vision of balanced business operations under the MIND 4-Dimension approach, which comprises business success, social and community care, environmental protection, and income distribution to communities, aiming to create growth alongside responsibility to all stakeholders.

Yamaha Motor Thailand continues advancing the organization along Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero pathways to improve energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to driving Thailand's automotive industry toward a sustainable future. The energy management award reflects not only the organization's excellence in energy management but also demonstrates commitment to balancing business growth, social care, and environmental protection to advance Thailand's economy toward sustainability.

Yamaha Motor Thailand believes that business success must grow alongside social and environmental responsibility. The award is not merely organizational pride but a key driver to continuously develop energy and environmental operations, delivering lasting value and a sustainable future to Thai society. For more information about Yamaha motorcycles and activities, visit www.yamaha-motor.co.th and follow Yamaha Society Thailand on Facebook. Subscribe to the LINE Official Account Yamaha Society TH by searching @yamahasociety to receive news, special privileges, and exclusive activities.

The fire at Kuan Kren peatland in the Thao Noi Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning villages 1, 6, 8, 9, and 11 in Kren subdistrict, Chao Aud district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, is now in its second day of continuous burning. Sparked by intermittent rain, strong winds, and intense heat, the blaze is spreading rapidly through dry grass and peat forest, driven by powerful winds. The fire has advanced to within 150 meters of Chao Aud Kren Thammawitthaya School, prompting officials to spray water to prevent it from reaching the buildings. Over 3,000 residents across five villages are suffering from thick smoke inundation, particularly affecting the elderly and those living downwind.

Thammanooun Kongjun, headman of Kren subdistrict administration, has declared an emergency situation and activated rescue services. The subdistrict and Kuan Ching Health Promotion Hospital are operating 24-hour hotlines for residents experiencing smoke inhalation, respiratory distress, or urgent medical needs: 087-264-6120 (subdistrict headman) and 096-314-5766 (hospital director). Authorities advise residents to avoid the fire area, wear protective masks if in heavy smoke, and recommend that vulnerable groups—the elderly, young children, bedridden patients, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma—shelter indoors or evacuate to safe areas prepared by the subdistrict.

Sky, a 24-year-old entertainment worker from Udon Thani, has been paid the full 2,500 baht she was owed after media coverage prompted the client—an engineer who had hired her to cheer him up over a breakup—to transfer the money immediately. Sky expressed gratitude to journalists and news outlets for helping resolve the dispute.

According to the initial report, Sky had gone above and beyond to care for the client, who told her he was heartbroken. She accompanied him on outings and tried to lift his spirits, but he failed to pay her 2,500 baht in wages. After repeated requests for payment went unanswered, she filed a complaint with police.

Following the media attention, the man transferred the full amount. Sky thanked all parties involved in publicizing her case, saying the matter had been resolved fairly. She confirmed she would now withdraw her complaint and would not pursue further action against the man.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on August 14, Sahaskan Police Station in Kalasin Province received a report of a fatal assault in the backyard of a residential property. Deputy Police Captain Chakrapan Wichitwaisutha, commanding officer of Sahaskan Police Station, led officers to the scene along with a duty physician from Sahaskan Hospital, forensic investigators, and local rescue units.

At the scene in the garden, officers found the body of a 70-year-old woman identified as Boonlam lying dead in the middle of the garden. She had suffered a severe laceration to the neck from a serrated knife wound. Signs of struggle and blood were scattered throughout the area.

Authorities detained the perpetrator, identified as 25-year-old Chanon, the victim's biological son, who was found with a 60-centimeter serrated knife. Initial investigation revealed that the two lived together. Before the incident, they had engaged in a severe verbal altercation. The son then apparently lost control and stabbed his mother in the neck with the knife, causing her death.

From questioning neighbors, police learned that the suspect has mental health issues and a history of drug-related behavior. Investigators are currently gathering evidence and medical documents to support the case file. The suspect is being held for questioning and will face legal proceedings.

Police arrested a 45-year-old man known as Tiger on August 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. after a sprawling manhunt across rice fields in Bang Pa-In District, Ayutthaya Province. Deputy Commander Phumidhatch Khositvanichphong of Ayutthaya Provincial Police, along with Bang Pa-In Police Station Commander Piphop Naphutra and provincial and regional investigators, conducted a large-scale sweep operation across paddies near Bang and Uthai subdistricts, Moo 3, Samruen Village, Bang Pa-In District. The suspect had been evading arrest in forest hideaways amid rice fields and irrigation canals. The difficult terrain meant officers had to use motorcycles, pickup trucks, or proceed on foot rather than cars. When apprehended, Tiger still held a homemade pistol loaded with seven .38-caliber rounds.

During initial interrogation, Tiger confessed that before the incident, he had been drinking and fishing in the rice field when the victim, a friend, called and invited him to drink together. After becoming intoxicated, an argument broke out over insulting remarks, and the victim allegedly tried to hit him multiple times. Tiger claimed he then returned to his room to retrieve the pistol. Upon encountering the victim again on the way back, another quarrel ensued, after which he fired the gun and fled, subsequently hiding in various sections of the rice field where he used to fish and continued drinking.

Reporters noted that during questioning in the paddy, Tiger greeted them casually, saying "Yesterday I went back to that spot in the middle of the field again. I slept in a hammock." Several journalists realized they may have actually spotted a man sleeping in a hammock in the field. Further detailed questioning is expected to resume the following day to clarify the exact circumstances of the shooting.

Minor Food, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minor International, is set to acquire Bonchon International alongside Serruya Private Equity (SPE), taking ownership of the Korean fried chicken brand and its operations outside the Americas.

Minor Food will invest US$50 million in the deal, which is expected to close in August 2026. Following completion, Minor Food will own Bonchon's business globally outside the Americas, while SPE will own and operate the business across the Americas.

The acquisition will move Minor Food from being Bonchon's master franchisee in Thailand to becoming the brand's owner across markets outside the Americas. Minor Food is currently Bonchon's largest master franchisee by system-wide revenue.

Bonchon was founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2002 and opened its first US restaurant in 2006. The brand has since grown into a franchise network of about 500 restaurants worldwide, known for its double-fried Korean fried chicken and proprietary sauces.

The brand currently operates in nine key markets: the US, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Minor Food said the acquisition will strengthen its asset-light strategy by adding a scalable, franchise-based business that generates recurring income from royalties and sauce sales.

The deal also builds on a more than 30-year relationship between Minor and SPE. SPE owns the Swensen's brand, which Minor operates in Thailand and other markets in the region.

Minor Food CEO Dellen Soh said the company already has a strong understanding of Bonchon through its experience operating the brand in Thailand and will focus on supporting franchisees and partners while expanding into existing and new markets.

SPE Chairman Michael Serruya said the partnership would support Bonchon's continued expansion in the Americas, citing the brand's customer base, differentiated products and franchise model.

Bonchon also operates its own sauce production facility, which has capacity for future expansion as its restaurant network grows.

The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings-accretive for Minor Food, supported by Bonchon's franchise-led and royalty-driven business model.