Anutin to fly in F-16 fighter jet during Air Force border mission

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4 August 2026, 12:17

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to fly in a Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet during a visit to Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima on 14 August, where he will receive briefings on border security, inspect military equipment and address air force personnel.

According to a report on Monday, the Royal Thai Air Force invited Anutin, who also serves as chairman of the National Security Council (NSC), to take part in the flight aboard a two-seat F-16 fighter aircraft based at Wing 1.

The prime minister is scheduled to travel from Wing 6 in Bangkok to Wing 1 by Royal Thai Air Force aircraft before receiving operational briefings on the air force’s missions, the security situation along the border, ongoing operations related to border unrest, and key research and development projects. He will also be briefed on the planned flight mission.

Anutin will then don a G-suit before boarding the F-16 for a sortie departing from and returning to Wing 1 airbase in Nakhon Ratchasima.

After the flight, the air force will hold a ceremony marking the successful completion of the mission, followed by a group photograph. Anutin, in his capacity as NSC chairman, is also scheduled to deliver remarks to personnel at Wing 1 and inspect military equipment.

If the visit proceeds as planned, Anutin will become Thailand’s second prime minister to fly in a two-seat F-16. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was the first Thai premier to take part in such a flight, occupying the rear seat as a passenger.

Songkla University unveils CAR-T therapy with 90% cancer treatment success rate

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4 August 2026, 11:26

Songkla University unveils CAR-T therapy with 90% cancer treatment success rate

SONGKHLA — The Faculty of Medicine at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has unveiled progress in using locally developed CAR-T Cell therapy to treat blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, reporting that nearly 90% of patients have achieved complete remission.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nalinee Kowitwanawong, deputy dean for administration at the Faculty of Medicine, said on 4 August 2026 that PSU had introduced CAR-T Cell therapy to treat patients with lymphoma, leukaemia and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The treatment uses a patient’s own immune cells, which are genetically modified to recognise and attack targeted cells. The university said treatment outcomes so far have shown nearly 90% of patients achieving complete remission.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chakkarawadee Chulamanee, director of the Centre of Excellence for Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy, said the university had researched and developed PSU CAR-T Cell therapy to treat cancer patients while significantly reducing treatment costs.

Imported CAR-T Cell products can cost nearly 20 million baht, while the locally developed treatment can reduce the cost to around 2 million baht, she said.

To expand access to the treatment, PSU’s Faculty of Medicine is building a facility to manufacture PSU CD19 CAR-T Cells. The facility is expected to increase production capacity from around 30 patients per year to more than 100 patients annually.

The university is also seeking partnerships with private companies and international networks to expand access to the treatment and further develop the technology for international use.

As part of its private-sector collaboration, the Faculty of Medicine has signed an agreement with Bangkok Hospital Phuket to develop CAR-T Cell therapy. The partnership combines academic expertise, research capabilities and medical services.

The initiative aims to establish a systematic, safe and standardised foundation for advanced medical treatment, including precision medicine and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), alongside a comprehensive patient care system.

The system will cover the entire treatment process, from patient selection and suitability assessments to treatment planning, safety management, monitoring for complications and long-term follow-up by a multidisciplinary medical team.

The partnership is also intended to improve access to advanced treatments for patients in Thailand’s Andaman coastal region, the wider southern region and international patients.

The initiative is part of efforts to position the region as an international hub for advanced medicine based on medical standards, patient safety, research and meaningful outcomes for patients, Dr. Chakkarawadee said.

Mirror Foundation submits six proposals to police to improve missing-person response

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4 August 2026, 11:16

0 - graphic-translated-feat — Graphic from the Mirror Foundation on Facebook has been translated from Thai by Khaosod English

The Mirror Foundation has urged the Royal Thai Police to overhaul Thailand’s missing-person system following the recent Chonburi murder cases, calling for a national online database, faster investigations and clearer public guidance.

In a statement dated 3 August, the foundation’s Missing Persons Information Centre said the Chonburi tragedy, in which missing people were later found to have been victims of crime, highlighted weaknesses in the country’s response to missing-person reports.

The six proposals:

Strengthen the national mechanism for managing missing persons and unidentified bodies, with dedicated staff to collect information, coordinate cases and work with police stations and partner agencies nationwide.
Develop a nationwide online system linking missing-person reports, searches, unidentified-body records and assistance efforts.
Improve officers’ knowledge and attitudes when handling missing-person cases, particularly cases involving a possible risk of violence or criminal activity.
Issue clear instructions to every police station and regularly remind the public that a missing-person report can be filed immediately. People do not need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing, and officers must begin searching without delay.
Provide regular training on missing-person investigations so officers can respond effectively and help prevent further crimes.
Introduce a risk-assessment system at the time a report is filed to determine the urgency of an investigation, deployment of personnel and coordination with other agencies, especially where there may be a risk of crime, death or harm.

The foundation said it had received 2,266 reports involving missing persons, unidentified people and unidentified bodies during the first seven months of 2026.

It urged police to treat missing-person cases as a matter of urgency, warning that prompt action can help prevent serious harm and save lives.

graphic 2 web — Graphic translated from Thai by Khaosod English

Doraemon replaces real cat in Thai rain ritual

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Khaosod English

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4 August 2026, 10:22

Doraemon replaces real cat in Thai rain ritual

KHON KAEN — More than 100 villagers in northeastern Thailand have revived an ancient rain-making ritual, parading Chi and Doraemon dolls instead of real cats around their community as a prolonged dry spell threatens their rice crops.

The traditional “Hae Nang Maew” ceremony was held on 4 August 2026 by residents of Khon Chim subdistrict in Waeng Yai district, Khon Kaen province, after the area went without significant rain for more than two months.

The lack of rainfall has caused rice plants to wilt, with large areas at risk of dying. Instead of using a live cat, villagers placed Chi and Doraemon dolls inside a cage and carried them through the village in a procession covering more than 3 kilometres.

As part of the traditional ritual, residents splashed water over the dolls while others joined the procession carrying fishing nets, traps, bamboo baskets containing fish and farming equipment, praying for rain to ease the drought.

Chaiwat Dokmaingam, chief executive of the Khon Chim Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said Waeng Yai district had received almost no rainfall this year, apart from occasional light showers that were insufficient for farming.

Some farmers have reportedly replanted their rice fields up to three times, but the seeds failed to germinate because the soil lacked moisture and had become hard, preventing the crops from growing.

Authorities had previously requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department, but operations could not be carried out due to unsuitable weather conditions. The district relies heavily on rainfall and has no irrigation system to support farming.

The drought comes as several parts of Thailand are experiencing flooding in August. Residents therefore revived the traditional cat parade while also seeking government assistance, hoping that both modern science and traditional beliefs could bring much-needed rain.

Water levels in the Chi River near Ban Chi Tha Wang Wern in Non Thong subdistrict have also fallen significantly, with several sections nearly dry. The situation is affecting Waeng Yai and Waeng Noi districts as well as areas bordering Chaiyaphum province.

Although water management projects have been continuously proposed, they remain under development. The area faces a unique situation, with communities near the Chi River frequently experiencing flooding while areas farther away regularly suffer drought.

Several districts in Khon Kaen, including Phon, Waeng Noi, Waeng Yai and Chonnabot, as well as parts of Non Sila, continue to face drought despite rainfall and flooding in other parts of the province.

The Hae Nang Maew ceremony is an ancient tradition among northeastern Thai communities. According to local belief, villagers parade and perform traditional dances to pray for rain, hoping their pleas will be answered.

This year’s use of dolls instead of a live cat reflects how the tradition has adapted to modern times while preserving the cultural beliefs and local heritage behind the ceremony.

Cat suspected after Pattaya condo fire forces overnight evacuation

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4 August 2026, 09:35

CHONBURI — 4 August 2026, Residents of a condominium in Pattaya were evacuated early Monday after a fire tore through a sixth-floor room, causing extensive damage but no injuries.

Police were alerted at about 02:36 to a fire from the sixth floor in Building D at the condominium in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. Firefighters, disaster-relief teams and rescue volunteers responded as smoke spread through the building.

Thai and foreign residents were evacuated while firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from spreading. The fire was brought under control after about two hours.

The room’s owner said she woke after smelling smoke and found flames in the kitchen near an electric stove. She grabbed her phone and fled to seek help from neighbours and condominium staff, but the fire spread quickly.

She said she suspected her cat may have stepped on the stove’s power switch, claiming something similar had happened before. However, the cause has not been confirmed.

Forensic officers from Chonburi’s Regional Forensic Science Division 2 will inspect the scene to determine how the fire started.

TISI seizes nearly 20,000 uncertified squishy toys over chemical safety risks

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3 August 2026, 17:25

BANGKOK — 3 August 2026, Thailand’s Industrial Standards Institute has seized nearly 20,000 uncertified squishy toys worth more than 1 million baht from shops and distribution centres in Bangkok’s Sampheng market area.

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) said inspections of six businesses uncovered 19,665 squishy toys that did not meet mandatory safety requirements, with a combined value of 1,013,109 baht.

Ekniti Romyanon, secretary-general of TISI, said squishy products are legally classified as toys and must comply with Thai Industrial Standard TIS 685 Part 1-2019.

The products must also carry the required TIS certification mark before they can legally be imported or sold in Thailand.

TISI launched the inspections after monitoring the growing popularity of squishy toys on social media and online shopping platforms, including TikTok.

Officials focused on stores with large numbers of followers and views before tracing the products to six major shops and distribution centres in the Sampheng area.

TISI said one of the six operators was acting as both a seller and an unauthorised importer, while the remaining five were selling uncertified products.

Legal action will be taken against all six businesses, the institute said.

Those convicted of selling products that fail to meet mandatory standards face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both.

Unauthorised importers face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 2 million baht, or both.

Ekniti warned that uncertified squishy toys may contain unsafe levels of chemicals, heavy metals, fragrances and coating substances.

Many of the products are made from polyurethane or low-grade foam, which TISI said may contain residues of volatile organic compounds and phthalates.

Exposure to some of these substances has been associated with cancer risks, disruption of the endocrine system, respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.

However, TISI’s announcement did not state that laboratory tests had confirmed the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in the specific products seized.

Some squishy toys are also designed to resemble food and contain added fragrances, which could encourage young children to place them in their mouths.

TISI warned that this could expose children to harmful substances or create a choking and airway obstruction risk.

The moisture-retaining material used in the toys may also allow bacteria and fungi to grow if the products are not properly cleaned, potentially causing skin irritation or disease.

Consumers were advised to check for the TIS mark before purchasing toys, particularly products intended for young children.

YG Entertainment to scout new K-pop stars in Thailand

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3 August 2026, 17:02

YG Entertainment will hold an audition in Thailand this November as the K-pop powerhouse searches for new talent to follow in the footsteps of Thai stars Lisa of BLACKPINK and Pharita and Chiquita of BABYMONSTER.

The agency announced that its audition will take place in Bangkok on 7-8 November. Applicants born between 2008 and 2015 are eligible to apply, regardless of gender or nationality.

Candidates can choose one category in which they are most confident: singing, rap, dance, visual or acting.

Online pre-registration will open on 1 September. Further details about the audition will be announced later through YG’s official audition website and social media channels.

Thailand has continued to play an influential role in the global K-pop market, particularly with Thai artists such as Lisa, Pharita and Chiquita achieving international success and helping drive the genre’s worldwide popularity.

The upcoming audition is therefore expected to attract significant interest from aspiring performers hoping to pursue careers in the global K-pop industry.

YG Entertainment is one of the leading names in K-pop and has produced globally successful acts including BIGBANG, 2NE1, BLACKPINK, WINNER, iKON, TREASURE and BABYMONSTER.

Through the Thailand audition, the agency aims to discover a new generation of talented performers with the potential to succeed on the global stage.

“We are looking forward to seeing the challenges presented by applicants with passion and potential in K-pop. We hope to meet talented individuals from Thailand and around the world who can help create a new future for YG together,” YG Entertainment said.

British tourist found dead in Patong hotel room

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3 August 2026, 16:30

PHUKET — A 41-year-old British tourist was found dead in his hotel room in Phuket’s Patong area on Monday, with police awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

Police at Patong Police Station were notified at about 11:20 on 3 August that a foreign man had been found dead inside Room 1414 of a hotel in Patong, Kathu district. Officers, forensic specialists and other relevant officials went to the scene to investigate.

The body was identified as Zakir Mahood, 41, a British national who had been staying alone at the hotel since July 24. He had been scheduled to check out on Monday.

According to the hotel’s head housekeeper, the room was last cleaned on 27 July. After that, the guest had placed a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

At around 11:00 on the scheduled check-out date, a housekeeper knocked on the door but received no response. After entering the room, staff found Mahood dead inside and alerted police.

Investigators said there were no signs of forced entry, a struggle or the room being ransacked.

A preliminary examination conducted by police and a forensic doctor indicated that Mahood had died approximately 12 to 24 hours before his body was discovered. However, the exact cause of death has not yet been determined and will depend on the results of a full autopsy.

The body was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further examination. Authorities are coordinating with the British Embassy to notify the man’s relatives and arrange the repatriation of his body for funeral rites.

White smoke engulfs Phuket road after pickup truck breaks down

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3 August 2026, 15:49

PHUKET — 3 August 2026, A pickup truck spewed thick white smoke that blanketed a road on the way up Kata Hill in Phuket, startling motorists and prompting online speculation about the cause.

The local Facebook page published dashcam footage showing a large amount of white smoke billowing continuously from a vehicle on the road leading up Kata Hill in Karon subdistrict, Muang district, Phuket.

The incident caused concern among motorists travelling behind the vehicle, as the thick smoke spread across the road and reduced visibility. Drivers were forced to slow down and exercise extra caution to avoid a possible accident.

The page captioned the footage: “A vehicle is spewing smoke all over the road on the way up Kata Hill. What caused this? Could the engine have overheated?”

Pol. Col. Pathapee Srichai, chief of Karon Police Station, later said an inspection found that the vehicle was a closed-body pickup truck.

The incident was caused by engine damage, which resulted in a large amount of white smoke pouring from the vehicle, he said.

Following the incident, the vehicle owner contacted a recovery truck to remove the pickup from the area and transport it to a repair garage. Traffic in the area subsequently returned to normal.

Police urged motorists to regularly check their vehicles to ensure they are in safe and roadworthy condition, particularly the engine system, before travelling.

Such checks can help prevent vehicle breakdowns that could pose risks to drivers and other road users, while reducing the likelihood of road accidents, police said.

AIS Business Partners with Huawei Cloud to Advance Global Cloud and Intelligent 5G Solutions, Positioning Thailand as an AI-Era Manufacturing Hub

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Mc Marketing

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3 August 2026, 15:30

AIS Business and Huawei Cloud have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate Thailand’s industrial sector towards intelligent manufacturing, with data and AI serving as key drivers. The collaboration brings together AIS Business’s strengths in network infrastructure and its deep understanding of the Thai business landscape with Huawei Cloud’s cloud and AI technologies, as well as its global manufacturing expertise. The partnership aims to enable manufacturers to apply technology in practical ways to enhance their production processes. Under the collaboration, the two companies will jointly develop an end-to-end digital infrastructure, covering everything from connecting data generated by machinery and production systems within factories through 5G Private Networks, fiber networks and secure connectivity solutions, to collecting, processing and analyzing data on the cloud using GPU computing capabilities. This infrastructure will provide a foundation for AI applications and industry-specific solutions, helping strengthen business competitiveness and enhance Thailand’s readiness to support local manufacturers and international investors seeking to expand their production bases in the country.

Mr. Phupa Akavipat, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, said that “Manufacturing is one of the key drivers of Thailand’s economy. According to World Bank data, Thailand’s industrial sector accounted for approximately 25% of GDP in 2024 and represented 16% of total employment, or more than 6.2 million jobs. These figures demonstrate the sector’s significant contribution to the economy, employment and investment attraction. Given the importance of manufacturing to the country, we must work together to strengthen the sector’s capabilities and prepare it for global competition, which is increasingly being driven by data, AI, automation and new manufacturing technologies. This transformation requires a digital infrastructure that can securely and reliably connect Network, Cloud, Data and AI with factory systems, while supporting future growth. As Thailand’s National Digital Infrastructure Partner, AIS Business is ready to support manufacturers seeking to transform their businesses and comprehensively modernize their production processes for the digital era. Our aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of Thailand’s manufacturing sector and contribute to the country’s development as a next-generation manufacturing hub that can sustainably support investment from both domestic and international businesses.”

Ms. Celine Chao, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Cloud Thailand, said that “The future of manufacturing will no longer be defined by production capacity alone, but by the ability to turn data into business outcomes quickly and accurately. This collaboration therefore goes beyond delivering Network, Cloud or AI as separate services. It is about establishing an end-to-end digital foundation, from connecting and collecting data from machinery and factory systems to processing and analysing that data and deploying AI in real-world operations. By bringing together Huawei Cloud’s technologies and global manufacturing expertise with AIS Business’s digital infrastructure, solutions and deep understanding of Thailand’s industrial sector, in its role as our Strategic Local Reseller Partner, we aim to help manufacturers transition towards intelligent production that is more efficient, agile and ready to compete in the global market.”

This collaboration can be extended to a range of key AI-driven manufacturing applications, enabling manufacturers to apply Data, Cloud and AI technologies to their production processes in practical and measurable ways, including

• AI-powered Quality Inspection: AI is used to inspect product quality, enhancing the speed, accuracy and consistency of the inspection process while reducing the risk of human error
• Predictive Maintenance: Data from machinery and sensors is analyzed on the Cloud using AI to predict potential equipment abnormalities and improve maintenance planning
• Connected Robotics, AGVs and AMRs: A highly reliable 5G Private Network supports seamless connectivity between robots and automation systems, enabling them to work together efficiently
• Real-time Factory Monitoring: Data from machinery and production lines is connected to the Cloud, enabling management and operations teams to monitor production status in real time and make informed decisions based on actual operational data
• Production Line Optimization: Data analytics and AI are used to assess production performance, identify bottlenecks and optimize manufacturing processes. This helps increase the yield of products that meet quality standards, reduce energy consumption and improve cost efficiency
• Industrial Data Platform for AI Readiness: Data from IT systems, operational technology (OT) systems, machinery and production control systems, as well as IoT devices, is integrated into a unified platform. This provides a structured foundation for developing AI models, digital twins, industrial applications and future autonomous operations capable of analyzing data, making decisions and executing processes automatically

These 6 use cases enable manufacturers to begin their transformation by addressing key challenges within their factories before gradually expanding to other production lines and processes as their organizations become ready. AIS Business will serve as a trusted partner, connecting every digital component into an integrated ecosystem that operates seamlessly. This approach helps reduce the complexity of managing technologies from multiple sources while enabling investments to be scaled and developed continuously over the long term.
Through this collaboration, AIS Business and Huawei Cloud aim to advance AI beyond pilot projects and isolated applications, positioning it as a core engine for enterprise-wide business transformation. Ultimately, the partnership will help elevate Thailand’s industrial sector from a strong manufacturing base into an intelligent manufacturing hub capable of creating, developing and delivering innovation to the global market at its full potential.
For more information about AIS Business solutions for the industrial sector, please visit www.ais.th/en/business/enterprise/technology-and-solution/cloud-and-data-center/hybrid-and-multi-cloud/huawei-cloud

The six proposals:

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