Highways Department to open free M6 Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong section on weekends from 21 August 2026

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7 August 2026, 15:05

Highways Department to open free M6 Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong section on weekends from 21 August 2026

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Highways (DOH) has confirmed it will begin trial operations of the M6 motorway section between Bang Pa-in and Pak Chong free of charge on weekends starting 21 August 2026, allowing motorists to travel continuously toward Nakhon Ratchasima.

DOH Director-General Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan said the 110-kilometre section will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday without toll fees as part of a trial service.

The motorway will operate from 12:00 on Fridays until 24:00 on Sundays, beginning on 21 August 2026. The schedule will continue every weekend through the New Year holidays in 2027.

The department plans to eventually expand the trial into a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week free service along the entire route.

The newly opened section extends the existing trial operation on the Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima Bypass stretch, which has been available free of charge around the clock since late 2023.

However, the temporary entrance and exit at Kilometre 65 on Mittraphap Road, near the Nakhonchaiburin Stray Animal Shelter, will close from 12:00 on 21 August 2026. Motorists will instead be required to use the Pak Chong interchange.

Weekend traffic arrangements

Outbound from Bangkok

Drivers can enter the M6 at Bang Pa-in and exit at Pak Chong on Thanarat Road, or continue directly to the Nakhon Ratchasima Bypass.

Inbound to Bangkok

Construction on the inbound carriageway between Pak Chong and Muak Lek remains unfinished.
Drivers leaving Pak Chong must travel via Thanarat Road and Mittraphap Road before rejoining the motorway at the Muak Lek interchange to continue toward Bangkok.

Open interchanges

The following interchanges will be available:

Bang Pa-in
Hin Kong
Kaeng Khoi
Muak Lek
Pak Chong

Vehicles entering at Pak Chong may travel only toward Sikhio or Nakhon Ratchasima.

Rest areas

Two rest areas at Thap Kwang (Kilometre 65), serving both inbound and outbound traffic, will be open with toilets and drinks available. There are no fuel stations or electric vehicle charging facilities.

As the motorway remains under construction with system installation work continuing, only four-wheel passenger vehicles will be permitted. The speed limit is 80 km/h, and motorists are advised to strictly follow traffic signs and instructions from highway officials.

Thai MP removed after shouting for peace during Min Aung Hlaing’s parliament visit

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7 August 2026, 13:51

A People’s Party lawmaker was removed from Thailand’s parliament on Friday after shouting calls for peace and humanitarian action during Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit.

The incident took place at parliament as Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja was scheduled to welcome Min Aung Hlaing, who was visiting Thailand as a guest of the government.

Before the welcoming ceremony began, Bangkok MP Anusorn Thamjai arrived at the special reception area to observe the event and prepare to submit a letter through the Senate speaker to Myanmar’s leader. The letter called for urgent action on cross-border issues and support for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

At around 10:50, when Min Aung Hlaing’s delegation arrived at the reception area, Anusorn repeatedly shouted, “For peace, for humanity,” prompting concern among organisers and security officials.

Parliament police then intervened and escorted Anusorn away from the area.

Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Thailand has drawn criticism from rights groups and Myanmar activists, who have called for greater pressure on the Myanmar military over the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.

‘We locked the door and hid’: Student recalls school shooting horror

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7 August 2026, 13:28

A student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School has described the terrifying moments he and his classmates hid inside a classroom for nearly 30 minutes during a deadly shooting on Friday that left seven people dead and many others injured.

The Grade 12 student from class M.6/10 told reporters that he was attending an English lesson when he heard several gunshots. At first, he thought the sounds were from someone shooting at birds, so he opened the classroom door to check before returning to his seat.

Shortly afterwards, another student ran in and warned that a teacher had been shot. The class immediately closed the door, locked the classroom and moved to protect themselves.

The student said he looked out of the window and saw the shooter carrying a gun walking down from Building 5 to the ground floor before running toward Building 4, where his classroom was located.

He and his classmates then pushed tables and chairs against the door, turned off the lights, stayed quiet and crouched down while waiting for help. They remained inside for almost half an hour until police arrived and instructed them to leave the area.

“Luckily, no one in our classroom was injured. The shooter only walked past our classroom,” he said.

The student said he learned survival techniques from online videos, including how to respond during dangerous situations. He said he did not know the suspect personally but knew he was a younger student at the school.

Although he remains slightly fearful after the incident, he said he would continue attending school and called for stricter measures to check students for weapons.

Car crashes into childcare centre in Kanchanaburi, about 10 injured

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7 August 2026, 13:05

A passenger car crashed into a childcare development centre in Kanchanaburi province on Friday, leaving about 10 people injured, according to the Rattanavudh Foundation.

The foundation said the car ploughed into Ban Nong Song Ton Child Development Centre in Muang district. Rescue workers, emergency medical teams and police were dispatched to the scene to assist the injured and secure the area.

Authorities were triaging victims, providing first aid at the scene and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Traffic around the site was being managed to allow ambulances and rescue vehicles quick access.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and officials said the number of injured could change as the situation develops.

The Rattanavudh Foundation urged motorists to avoid the area, give way to emergency vehicles and follow instructions from authorities while rescue operations continue.

Student suspected of school shooting allegedly killed grandparents before attack

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7 August 2026, 13:01

A student suspected of carrying out the deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School is believed to have fatally shot two family members at home before launching the attack at the school, police said on Friday.

The school shooting in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi, left seven people dead and many others injured, according to the latest reports.

Police later responded to the suspect’s home in Soi Wat Lat Pla Duk, where they found two bodies believed to be the suspect’s grandparents. Authorities are working to confirm the victims’ identities and establish the circumstances of their deaths.

The suspect’s father has arrived at the school and is being questioned by investigators as the investigation continues. The motive remains under investigation.

Thailand hosts first UNESCO Creative Cities forum in Bangkok

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7 August 2026, 12:02

Thailand hosts first UNESCO Creative Cities forum in Bangkok

BANGKOK — Thailand has hosted its first forum under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), bringing together representatives from 13 creative cities in Thailand and overseas to promote sustainable urban development through culture, creativity and tourism.

The Thailand Creative Cities Network (TCCN) Forum 2026 was launched at Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), together with five partner organisations.

Held under the theme “Creative Cities Connect: Connecting People • Culture • Creativity • Sustainability,” the forum aims to strengthen cooperation among creative cities, showcase best practices and encourage knowledge-sharing on sustainable urban development.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General of DASTA, said the event brought together creative city representatives from Thailand and abroad to exchange ideas on how cultural assets and creativity can strengthen local economies, improve quality of life and support sustainable tourism.

The forum welcomed representatives from 13 UNESCO Creative Cities, including nine cities from Thailand:

City of Gastronomy: Phuket, Phetchaburi and Songkhla
City of Crafts and Folk Art: Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and Nan
City of Design: Bangkok and Chiang Rai
City of Music: Suphan Buri

Among them, DASTA has supported the development of six UNESCO Creative Cities: Sukhothai, Nan, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi.

International participants included:

Berlin, Germany (City of Design)
Cebu, Philippines (City of Design)
Jakarta, Indonesia (City of Literature)
Echizen, Japan (City of Crafts and Folk Art)

The event also featured exhibitions highlighting each city’s cultural identity, performances and creative economy activities, as well as networking sessions aimed at expanding regional and international cooperation.

DASTA also organised two technical tours for delegates. The Bangkok tour included visits to Talat Noi Museum, River City Bangkok and the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), while the Pattaya tour showcased the city’s preparations to seek UNESCO recognition as a City of Film.

Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network promotes cities that place creativity and culture at the heart of sustainable urban development. The network currently includes more than 408 cities worldwide.

Thailand currently has nine UNESCO Creative Cities, with Nan and Songkhla becoming the newest members in 2025.

Looking ahead, DASTA said it will continue working with local authorities and partners to expand Thailand’s creative city network, with Pattaya targeting UNESCO’s City of Film designation in 2027.

Deadly school shooting claims seven lives in Nonthaburi

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7 August 2026, 11:07

Deadly school shooting claims seven lives in Nonthaburi

UPDATE: Police have found two bodies believed to be the suspect’s grandparents at his home in Soi Wat Lat Pla Duk. Authorities are working to confirm their identities and investigate the circumstances of their deaths.

NONTHABURI — 7 August 2026, Seven people, including three teachers, three students, and the suspected gunman, were killed in a school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district on Friday, according to preliminary police reports.

Fifteen other people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment as police, rescue workers, and emergency medical teams rushed to the school to secure the area and evacuate students, teachers, and staff.

Police from Plai Bang and Bang Kruai police stations, together with special operations officers, searched the school for the suspect while he reportedly continued firing from inside the building, preventing officers from immediately reaching him.

At around 10:56, officers reported that the suspect had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a classroom. Rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation attempted to save his life, but died on the way to the hospital.

Police recovered a firearm, a magazine, and ammunition near the suspect’s body. Officers also found more than 10 additional rounds of ammunition inside his bag.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive for the shooting and are gathering evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.

This is a developing story. Casualty figures and other details may be updated as authorities release further information.

Community comes together to treat dog dragged along Lampang road

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7 August 2026, 10:36

LAMPANG — 6 August 2026, CCTV footage has emerged showing a man riding a motorcycle while dragging a black Labrador along a road for about 2-3 kilometres before abandoning it near a market in central Lampang.

The severely injured dog, named Tang Tang, was rescued at about 03:35 on 6 August by officials from the Lampang Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Division. The dog was taken to Lampang Animal Hospital for urgent treatment, with vendors at Aomsin Market pooling money to cover its medical expenses.

Police and local officials are checking CCTV footage to identify the middle-aged man, who is believed to have picked up the dog near Tha Ma-O Bridge or the area behind Surasak Montri Camp in Hua Wiang subdistrict before leaving it near the market.

Initial information indicates that the man is not the dog’s owner. The owner has already filed a complaint at Mueang Lampang police station.

3 3 web — Tang Tang was seen being dragged along the road behind a motorcycle in CCTV footage shared online.

A resident of Lampang who belongs to the Lampang City Facebook group later shared CCTV footage from outside his home showing the man dragging the dog along the road. The footage prompted outrage among animal lovers, who called on police to identify and prosecute the person responsible.

Tang Tang is now safe and remains under close veterinary supervision.

Car bursts into flames on Si Rat Expressway in Bangkok

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7 August 2026, 10:34

Car bursts into flames on Si Rat Expressway in Bangkok

BANGKOK — 7 August 2026, A private car was almost completely destroyed after catching fire on the Si Rat Expressway on Friday morning, causing heavy traffic congestion near the Prachanukun toll plaza.

The 199 emergency hotline received a report of the fire at 09:05. Firefighters from Bang Son Fire and Rescue Station, assisted by expressway rescue personnel, were dispatched to the scene with fire engines.

The incident occurred on the four-lane expressway near the entrance to the Prachanukun toll plaza, where a white Bangkok-registered passenger car caught fire in the engine compartment while stopped in the far-right lane.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 10 minutes, but the vehicle was almost entirely destroyed.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

The incident caused severe congestion on the expressway as traffic backed up for a considerable distance. Expressway rescue officers later removed the burned-out vehicle to reopen the route, while authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Search underway for former Dragon5 singer missing in Nonthaburi

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7 August 2026, 09:53

NONTHABURI — 7 August 2026, A search is underway for 46-year-old singer Thaman Taypun, a former member of Thai boy band Dragon5, after he left his home in Nonthaburi early Thursday morning and failed to return.

Thaman, known as Tay, reportedly left his home in Bang Kruai district at about 04:00 on 6 August to ride a bicycle. His girlfriend later filed a missing-person report with Bang Kruai police, saying she feared he may have come to harm.

JS100 radio said Thaman is 185 centimetres tall. He was last seen riding a cream-coloured bicycle towards Rama VII Bridge, according to CCTV footage. He was wearing cycling clothes, carrying a black backpack and was not wearing a helmet.

He left without his mobile phone or wallet, according to the missing-person announcement. Anyone who has seen him is asked to contact JS100 at 1808 or 1137.

His girlfriend, identified as 42-year-old Walaiphan Srinasaphan, told reporters that his disappearance was unusual. She said he normally took his phone with him when cycling and returned home immediately afterwards.

She said she contacted his close friends, but none had seen him. Walaiphan then reported the matter to police so officers could help locate him.

Weekend traffic arrangements

Open interchanges

Rest areas

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