Code Genius, under LEARN Corporation, has organized the Code Genius Junior Hackathon 2026 with the theme "Young Innovators for Better Bangkok: A Liveable City Through Young Brilliant Ideas." The event provides youth an opportunity to apply knowledge in coding, AI, Scratch, and micro:bit to design innovations and solutions for real challenges facing Bangkok, covering air quality, stray animals, disaster preparedness, night safety, transportation and traffic, and building an inclusive city. The learning approach emphasizes using technology as a tool to understand and solve real-world problems.

The activity took place at Learn Sadhit Phattana (LSP School), where participants learned through Design Thinking processes—from problem analysis, user understanding, concept development, to prototyping and presenting work to expert judges. Many ideas demonstrated students' ability to connect technology with social problems and human quality of life. One notable project came from the Safer team, which presented a real-time flood warning application with nearby safe zones and rescue boat services designed for the general public, pet owners, and people with disabilities, reflecting comprehensive user-centered innovation design.

Judges evaluated entries based on Design Thinking criteria, assessing problem understanding, creative solutions, and prototype development alignment with the given brief. The event featured experts from government, education, and technology sectors as judges and advisors, helping advance participants' ideas toward real-world application.

Chanpatin Palapipath, founder and managing director of Code Genius, stated: "We believe children learn best when they see the connection between what they learn and real context. Using coding or AI to solve city problems isn't about creating perfect innovations, but about teaching them to ask questions, see human impact, and learn that their knowledge can create real change. In the future, the key skill may not just be using technology, but using technology to solve meaningful problems."

The event reflects Code Genius's learning philosophy that technology skills should develop alongside critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving abilities, enabling students to apply knowledge meaningfully. This aligns with LEARN Corporation's mission to develop learners' potential through education connected to real life and future global change. For more information, visit www.codegeniusacademy.com or www.learn.co.th.

King Power Rangsit has opened its first multi-brand store, The Passage of Collections, on Level 1, featuring seven world brands and inviting shoppers to browse fashion, apparel, bags, jewelry, and footwear that can be mixed and matched in any style every day.

The King Power group unveiled The Passage of Collections as a premier fashion shopping destination welcoming Thai fans and tourists worldwide to experience seamlessly integrated fashion design connected with lifestyle. It brings together iconic legendary brands and trending names with diverse items that complete any look beyond what was possible before.

The Passage of Collections is a fashion space for everyday wear, designed perfectly for modern lifestyles without following seasonal trends, moving beyond traditional luxury to blend diverse contemporary fashion spanning luxury, streetwear, and genderless styles. Customers can enjoy mixing and matching pieces daily using the key concept "Everything Wear" from global brands including Alexander McQueen, Courrèges, Jacquemus, Marni, MM6, The Row, and Vivienne Westwood, allowing shoppers to express their identity, taste, and personal style freely.

Inside the curved retail space with surrounding clear glass, warm-toned wooden walls, and graduated golden lighting along the ceiling that guides the eye to brand logos etched in glass, various brands are arranged rhythmically on wooden shelves displaying bags, shoes, and jewelry in a curated gallery-like setting. The Passage of Collections is not merely a designer brand showroom but a space where customers select pieces that truly fit themselves and can wear with joy. The seven highlighted brands each offer distinct appeal: Alexander McQueen, a British luxury brand blending dark romanticism with haute couture craftsmanship, known globally for its iconic skull motif; Courrèges, founded in Paris by André and Coqueline Courrèges and a legendary 1960s fashion house that sparked the Space Age trend and revolutionized women's fashion with futuristic silhouettes and geometric cutting; Jacquemus, a French brand with minimalist style infused with playfulness, expressed through asymmetrical silhouettes and unconventional tailoring in warm tones reflecting Mediterranean charm, guaranteed by its signature mini bag Le Chiquito; Marni Meryll Rogge, which reinterprets its recognizable identity inspired by the Prealps surrounding Milan, blending mountain climber chic with refined tailoring and hit items like Fussbett shoes and Trunk bags; MM6, a contemporary fashion brand distinguished by innovative clothing merging creative and playful thinking, breaking conventional boundaries through conceptual design and unique fabric techniques in an all-gender style that unlocks identity without limits; The Row, an American luxury brand founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, showcasing quiet luxury through simple, serene lines and shapes that emphasize restrained elegance; and Vivienne Westwood, representing punk spirit and rebellious design.

On August 18, 2025, Pol. Col. Chaiwat Pradabpai, superintendent of Phra Khanong Police Station, addressed allegations made by Ms. Chommani, known as Pa Da, who claims she was charged with eight counts of attempted murder by Phra Khanong Police. The case originated in 1995 when Abbas filed a lawsuit against the Royal Thai Treasury Department over coastal land that had since eroded into the sea. After three court proceedings, the Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that the land had disappeared beneath the sea, concluding the civil case. In 2016, a group claiming to be estate managers rejected the Supreme Court's decision and led public protests, eventually cutting wire fences and trespassing on an oil company's leased area. This led to multiple criminal charges for trespassing and property destruction. Pa Da was among those prosecuted, facing one case from 2018 and three more from 2020. The first case resulted in a jail sentence and is under appeal. In 2024, prosecutors decided to prosecute the group for additional trespassing charges, requiring her arrest. When she failed to respond to a police summons, officers requested a court-issued arrest warrant, which Pol. Col. Chaiwat emphasized was a legitimate court order, not a police fabrication. He stressed that police do not issue arrest warrants; they gather evidence and present requests to the court, which then decides whether sufficient grounds exist. When she was arrested a second time during a public holiday, she was held pending transfer to prosecutors for court filing, which he clarified was lawful arrest, not unlawful detention. Regarding her claim that fingerprints were not repeated during the later arrest, Pol. Col. Chaiwat explained that since the arrest was for prosecution purposes in an existing case where fingerprints had already been taken, duplication was unnecessary. He also dismissed allegations that officers sprayed water on her, stating police had no reason for such conduct. He concluded by noting that with the case now under court examination, the legal process must proceed according to law.

On August 18, 2026, a special parliamentary budget committee met to review fiscal year 2570 spending proposals for parliamentary bodies, chaired by Bunyong Wongtrairat, deputy committee chairman. The committee examined budget allocations for the King Prajadhipok Institute, the Senate Secretariat Office, the House Secretariat Office, and the Former Parliamentarians' Fund.

Committee member Chalonath Koykul questioned the House Secretariat's 8 million baht parliamentary website development project, noting that three price quotes ranged from 7.3 million to 10.48 million baht despite identical project scope, a 3 million baht difference. The Secretariat described the work as upgrading existing systems and databases rather than building new ones, prompting questions about how the 8 million baht figure was calculated.

Koykul also queried a separate 8 million baht civic promotion fund, part of a 25 million baht democracy initiative, saying the per-person training cost of 25,000 baht exceeded the previous fiscal year's 6.5 million baht allocation without clear justification for the increase.

Parliamentarian Bunluepraserit Sopha raised security concerns, recounting an incident where he was filmed on his phone in the parliamentary meeting room and the clip was published online. He also criticized invitations to democracy promotion events held at hotels without clear speaking topics, suggesting such activities should be held at temples or schools instead.

Bunluepraserit, a lawmaker since 2001, stated he has never claimed parliamentary benefits or medical expenses, believing public funds should help those in greater need. He urged the fund committee to tighten eligibility criteria and screening standards.

House Secretary-General Sirot Phaetphan explained that the website project involves developing an integrated system with a central database and improvements to the legislative review process under Section 77, including identity verification and complaint handling features. He said three contractors were consulted on pricing and detailed specifications would be submitted in writing.

The Pure Heart Foundation has distributed educational and sports equipment to students in Sakon Nakhon province through its "Fulfill Dreams with Heart for Children" program, aimed at building skills and supporting student development.

On August 18, foundation chairwoman Theeranat Nawamawat and her team visited Kok Lao Wittayakarn School and Baan Na School (Krurusat Utit Wittayayan) in Muang District, Sakon Nakhon to present donations. School director Prakop Tanmun accepted the items on behalf of the schools, which had requested support through the foundation's Facebook page. The foundation coordinated with partner organizations to collect goods that matched the children's actual needs and could be put to immediate use.

The donations came from multiple supporters. Pure Energy Public Company Limited provided sports equipment to promote physical activity and athletic competition. Thai Smile Bus supplied school materials, clothing, educational toys, story books, and learning resources designed to create an engaging and age-appropriate learning environment. Bye Lee Enterprise contributed snacks to add joy for the students.

The foundation also received support from Thep Sampathai Company (Sampathai Tour) for transportation logistics and assistance from the Office of Protected Areas Management Region 10 (Udon Thani) under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which facilitated smooth delivery to the schools.

Chairwoman Theeranat emphasized that the foundation prioritizes helping improve the quality of life for young people, ensuring every item donated serves a real educational, sports, or skills-development purpose. She noted that the project succeeds only through cooperation from all sectors, including donors and supporting agencies. She expressed gratitude to all partners for making this assistance reach the children appropriately.

"The foundation believes good help begins with listening and taking action," she said. "When all sectors work together, we create a spirit of goodwill that fulfills the dreams of children in Sakon Nakhon and creates opportunities for students to learn and grow well."

On August 18, it was reported that following Lao Ta Sai Lee's royal pardon and release on August 14, his relatives collected him from prison and brought him home to Huay Sam village, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai. Journalists attempting to cover his return were denied access by family members and villagers, as Lao Ta Sai Lee wished to spend time with his family after his release. The family conducted a traditional Lisu ceremony, binding his wrist and performing a ritual to purify evil from his person, in keeping with their ethnic customs. Police from Mae Ai Station, local rangers, and army personnel jointly established weapons checkpoints at the village entrance to screen people entering and leaving, while maintaining normal security patrols outside the village. Officials confirmed that Lao Ta Sai Lee, 86, the nation's most notorious drug trafficker, was released following a royal pardon and all legal procedures have been completed.