Thailand explores Digital ID link to strengthen Roblox child safety

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14 August 2026, 13:22

Thailand explores Digital ID link to strengthen Roblox child safety

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is in talks with Roblox over stronger safety and child protection measures on the gaming platform, including the possible use of Thailand’s National Digital ID system to verify users’ identities and ages.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob chaired an online meeting with Edward Palmieri, Senior Director of Public Policy at Roblox Corporation, the operator of the Roblox gaming platform.

Also attending were Chomparee Chomphurat, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry; Dr. Chaiyachana Mitrphun, director of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA); representatives from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa); and Asia Group Advisors.

Chaichanok said the meeting focused on safety and child protection measures on Roblox, including age restrictions and age-based filtering, facial age estimation technology, chat moderation systems to detect inappropriate messages, and Roblox’s plan to implement measures based on the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating system in 2027.

He said protecting children and young people on digital platforms was an urgent issue requiring cooperation from all parties, not just government agencies but also platform operators.

The ministry is prepared to promote digital technology and gaming platforms as part of a safer digital ecosystem, with the aim of improving user verification, protecting children and young people, and encouraging responsible use of artificial intelligence, he said.

“These efforts are intended to build long-term confidence among users, families and Thai society,” Chaiyachok said.

The minister also proposed studying the feasibility of verifying users who wish to access Roblox by linking Thailand’s National Digital ID/KYC system with Roblox user accounts.

Such a system could significantly improve the accuracy of users’ identity and age verification while giving parents greater confidence in their children’s online safety, he said.

Roblox also presented its Family Zone, an in-platform community designed to help parents understand gaming systems and child safety, as well as provide learning resources on AI and coding.

Chaiyachok said he believed developing such campaigns could allow parents and children to learn together about using technology safely in the digital world.

“For the initial phase, a joint working group will be established to study a user verification system for Thailand so that concrete results can be achieved,” Chaiyachok said.

“For the next phase, I have proposed studying the use of pre-scan tools to check content before publication, analysing game and user history logs, and using AI to analyse factors that could lead to risky behaviour.

“This would allow us to take proactive preventive measures rather than addressing problems after an incident has occurred.”

He said all tools would have to be carefully assessed for their suitability and potential impact on users’ privacy.

Chaiyachok added that he would also bring the proposals to discussions with Thai game operators in a bid to raise safety standards across Thailand’s gaming industry.

Natthaphong proposes gun-control law ammendments

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14 August 2026, 13:20

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said his party was preparing proposed amendments to firearm laws and gun-control measures, while warning that stricter penalties would be ineffective without equal enforcement.

Natthaphong, who is also opposition leader in the House of Representatives, expressed condolences over the deaths and said schools receiving threats should treat them seriously, regardless of whether the sender intended to act on them.

“School administrators everywhere must monitor and ensure safety at their schools as fully as possible,” he said at parliament.

He said the People’s Party was discussing amendments to firearm laws and broader gun-control policies. However, he stressed that tougher penalties alone would not solve the problem if enforcement failed.

“Laws with higher penalties could become tools for corrupt officials to demand benefits or extort money for themselves,” he said.

Asked whether the party would submit a firearms bill during the next parliamentary session, Natthaphong said internal discussions were ongoing but that the party would likely introduce its own proposal alongside any government bill.

He also said politicians should not receive special treatment under the law, amid criticism over elected representatives’ high rates of gun ownership.

“Politicians are no different from ordinary people,” he said. “Whatever hat they wear or position they hold, everyone must be equal before the law.”

Natthaphong referred to news footage showing a political figure accused of wrongdoing sitting in the same room as police, smoking and not wearing handcuffs.

“It gives society, including myself, the impression that this is not right,” he said.

“Politicians and non-politicians appear to be treated differently once they enter the justice process.”

Asked whether Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s reported reprimand of the national police chief could restore public confidence, Natthaphong said the public would judge the government by results rather than statements.

“People will place the most trust in actions and the results that follow,” he said.

He added that several worthwhile proposals had been made to bring firearms already circulating in society back under state control, but said effective enforcement remained the central issue.

Princess Sirivannavari unveils Thai textiles trend book for Spring/Summer 2027

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14 August 2026, 13:15

BANGKOK — Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presided over the 2026 Symposium on “Developing Knowledge for Product Development Towards International Standards” at ICONSIAM Hall in Bangkok on 13 August.

The event featured the launch of the Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027, the seventh edition of the annual publication for which Princess Sirivannavari serves as executive editor.

The publication applies her vision under the “Thai textiles: Wearing with Fun” project to promote Thai fabrics and designs on the international stage. The latest edition is centered on the theme “Reimagination,” reflecting global changes and emphasizing culture as a tool for communication and connecting people in the modern world.

Princess Sirivannavari later delivered a lecture on “Promoting and Developing the Image of Thai Textiles Towards International Standards 2026.”

Rising Australian golfer Jessica Bang dies in Thailand at 18

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14 August 2026, 12:00

Rising Australian golfer Jessica Bang dies in Thailand at 18

BANGKOK — 13 August 2026, Australian rising golf star Jessica Bang has died in Thailand at the age of 18 after suffering a brain haemorrhage and spending more than 10 days undergoing treatment.

Bang, a promising Australian professional golfer, died in Thailand on 13 August, marking another tragic loss for the sporting world.

According to Australian media reports, Bang had travelled to Thailand to prepare for an international qualifying event for the KLPGA Tour. However, on 1 August, she suddenly became ill after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

She was taken to a hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery and was placed on life support in the intensive care unit.

Bang’s family launched an online fundraising campaign through GoFundMe to raise money to bring her back to Australia for further treatment. However, she died peacefully in Thailand on 13 August.

The WPGA Tour of Australasia issued a statement on 14 August expressing its deep sadness over Bang’s death in Thailand.

“The WPGA and Australian golf community are deeply saddened by the passing of Jessica Bang in Thailand,” the statement said.

Bang was described as a highly talented rising golfer who made a strong impression despite her short time on the tour.

She won the regional qualifying event for the Ford Women’s NSW Open in February, securing victory in only her fifth professional event.

Bang earned her tour card through qualifying school (Q-School) in late 2025 after a standout amateur career.

“We send our thoughts and support to everyone on the WPGA Tour of Australasia, the Australian golf community, and Bang’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the tour said.

Foreigners flee traffic checkpoint, kick officer before arrest

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14 August 2026, 11:33

Foreigners flee Phuket checkpoint, kick officer before arrest

PHUKET — 13 August 2026, Two Emirati men were arrested in Phuket after allegedly riding a motorcycle through a traffic checkpoint, kicking a pursuing traffic officer and fleeing before eventually being cornered in a dead-end road.

The incident occurred when officers from Kathu Police Station were operating a traffic checkpoint at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road in Kathu district, Phuket, under the direction of Pol Col Chalermchai Hoensawat, chief of Kathu Police Station.

During the operation, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot Yodrabam, a traffic officer with Kathu police, spotted a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle, travelling along Phra Barami Road from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection.

Two foreign men were on the motorcycle, with one riding and the other as a passenger.

The officer signalled for the motorcycle to stop so he could check the rider’s driving licence. Instead, the rider allegedly accelerated through the checkpoint without stopping.

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot pursued the motorcycle through the Si Kor intersection towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road.

When they reached the area in front of Kathu Municipality, the officer again signalled for the motorcycle to stop. The passenger allegedly kicked the officer’s motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose control, before the pair continued fleeing.

Officers later spotted the motorcycle in front of a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The suspects allegedly continued fleeing against the direction of traffic into a lane leading to The Valley housing estate.

The motorcycle then allegedly cut across the path of Sgt. Maj. Siwayot’s motorcycle, causing him to crash.

The officer suffered injuries to his body, while his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged.

Despite his injuries, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot continued the pursuit until reaching the end of a road inside the housing estate. The road was a dead end, and officers found the suspects’ motorcycle abandoned there.

The two men had fled on foot.

Officers searched the surrounding area and eventually found two foreign men walking near the entrance to The Valley housing estate. They were taken into custody.

The suspects were later identified as Sohail, 21, an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding the motorcycle, and Hamad, 20, also an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding as the passenger.

Police informed both men of the allegations and their legal rights before taking them, along with the seized evidence, to Kathu Police Station.

They were then handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Israeli family denied entry to exotic zoo on Koh Samui

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14 August 2026, 10:47

owner-headbutt — Photos via IG: @samuiexoticpark

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, an Israeli family says it was denied entry to a Koh Samui animal park because of its nationality before a confrontation with a man representing the zoo. Videos later posted to the Instagram Story of the park’s official account supported its exclusion of Israeli visitors.

The family, accompanied by two young daughters, went to Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam. Footage recorded by the mother and widely shared online begins with her asking staff behind a counter: “Because we’re from Israel? What have we done to you? We haven’t done anything.”

The video then cuts to a man representing the zoo telling the family to leave.

“Okay, bye. Bye-bye,” the man says. When the woman asks his name, he responds with profanity. As she repeats the question, he approaches the group and tells them: “Move off my place.”

The man then appears to headbutt the woman’s husband. She responds, “Okay, okay, we’re leaving. We’re leaving,” before he throws a small white sign in her direction as she records.

The park also shared CCTV footage of the confrontation from behind the counter. The silent, wider-angle video appears to show the family, including the two girls, leaving the entrance area after the dispute.

Later Instagram Stories from the park’s official account appeared to reinforce its stance. One video shows an Israeli flag marked with a red no-entry symbol beside a shooting target perforated with holes. The person filming whistles as the camera moves from the sign to a Free Palestine flag displayed nearby.

The later posts do not independently establish the family’s account of what occurred before the recording began. They do, however, appear to show that the park’s official social-media account supported the refusal of Israeli visitors after the incident.

Samui Exotic Park previously faced online backlash after displaying Palestinian flags and a “Free Palestine” sign at the attraction. The park said at the time that it welcomed visitors of all nationalities but expected guests to respect its rules.

PM denies US drone production base plan, separates trade talks from security

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14 August 2026, 10:28

PM denies US drone production base plan, separates trade talks from security

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied reports that the United States plans to establish a production base for unmanned aerial vehicles in Thailand, saying he had received no such report.

Anutin was asked about reports that the US might use military issues as leverage in negotiations over trade tariffs.

The prime minister rejected the suggestion, saying there had been no such discussion.

He said US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby met with him on 13 August, but the two did not discuss the issue.

“Trade and tariffs are matters of trade, while security cooperation is a military matter. The government will not allow the two to become involved with each other,” Anutin said.

He described the meeting with Colby as having gone “very well”.

Asked whether security issues and trade negotiations should be kept separate, Anutin said this had always been the US approach.

“The US has always been like this. The Under Secretary of Defense did not have any trade-related issues to discuss,” he said.

Asked whether the Cobra Gold joint military exercise would proceed on its normal schedule, Anutin said it would.

“It is normal. We have been doing this for decades. I don’t know who started this issue because it does not exist,” he said.

On negotiations over US trade tariffs, Anutin said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun had provided an update.

He said the government held a meeting on Monday to receive an update on the negotiations and that everything remained within the timeframe set by the negotiating team.

Former health official taken to hospital after pickup overturns in Phatthalung

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14 August 2026, 09:19

PHATTHALUNG — 14 August 2026, a former director of a local health-promoting hospital was injured after his pickup truck crashed into a parked vehicle, damaged a road sign and overturned in Phatthalung shortly after midnight.

Police and rescue workers responded to the crash on Ban Khuan Thop Road in Phaya Khan subdistrict, Mueang district, at about 00:00.

The driver, identified only as 61-year-old Sukwit, suffered facial cuts caused by broken windscreen glass. He had previously served as director of a tambon health-promoting hospital in Phatthalung.

Responders said he initially refused to leave the badly damaged pickup truck, remained inside using his phone and argued with officials. They said he appeared intoxicated.

After several minutes of persuasion, he agreed to be taken to hospital for treatment.

The crash damaged a government road sign and a car parked outside a house, police said. Officers documented the damage for possible compensation claims and will conduct an alcohol breath test or collect a blood sample in accordance with procedure before considering legal action.

Heavy rain forecast for 21 provinces as monsoon strengthens

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14 August 2026, 09:15

Heavy rain forecast for 21 provinces as monsoon strengthens

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Thailand will continue to experience heavy rain in some areas over the next 24 hours, with very heavy rain forecast for parts of the East, according to the Meteorological Department.

The department said that a monsoon trough is extending across Myanmar, upper Laos and upper Vietnam, while a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Residents in affected areas have been warned to watch out for the dangers posed by heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways and in low-lying areas. Rivers may also overflow in parts of the Northeast.

Winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea will be relatively strong, with waves reaching 2-3 metres and rising above 3 metres in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

The Meteorological Department advised boat operators to exercise caution and avoid areas experiencing thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore.

Weather forecast from 07:00 on 14 August to 07:00 on 15 August

North: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Nan and Tak. Temperatures will range from 22-28°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.

Northeast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan. Temperatures will range from 24-26°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Saraburi and Kanchanaburi. Temperatures will range from 24-27°C, with highs of 34-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-25km/h.

East: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi, and very heavy rain possible in Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24-28°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be around 2 metres, rising above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

South, east coast: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C, with highs of 31-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be 1-2 metres offshore, around 2 metres farther from the coast and above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

South, west coast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Ranong and Phang Nga. Temperatures will range from 23-27°C, with highs of 31-36°C.

From Phang Nga northwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 20-40km/h, with waves of 2-3 metres and waves above 3 metres during thunderstorms.

From Phuket southwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 15-35km/h, with waves of 1-2 metres and waves above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

Bangkok and surrounding provinces: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain. Temperatures will range from 26-27°C, with highs of 32-34°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-25km/h.

Thai PM says defense ties with US won’t be used to negotiate tariffs

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13 August 2026, 18:09

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a senior US defense official on Thursday that Thailand will not use defense cooperation with the United States as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, as the two countries seek to strengthen their 193-year alliance.

Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, held talks with Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, at Government House in Bangkok on Thursday afternoon during Colby’s first official visit to Thailand.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said Anutin welcomed Colby and highlighted the positive development of Thai-US relations.

The prime minister stressed that security cooperation is a key pillar of the longstanding bilateral relationship, but said Thailand does not have a policy of linking defense cooperation to trade negotiations.

“Trade and security discussions proceed on the basis of mutual interests and through the relevant mechanisms for each area,” Anutin said, according to the government.

Anutin highlighted the 193-year history of Thai-US military ties, saying the alliance has benefited both countries and contributed to peace, security and stability in the region.

He called for the two countries to strengthen their alliance in response to a changing international environment and emerging security threats.

Colby described Thailand as an important US ally and said Washington places strategic importance on the region and on working with countries that share common principles and goals for maintaining regional peace and security.

He reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening security cooperation with Thailand to address increasingly complex challenges and a rapidly changing security environment.

The two sides agreed to deepen security cooperation, including efforts to strengthen their ability to respond to modern security challenges, modernize Thailand’s armed forces and expand defense industry cooperation.

Anutin also raised cooperation against transnational crime, referring to his meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel in July. The two sides discussed strengthening law enforcement cooperation, particularly efforts to prevent and combat transnational crime in the region.

On the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, Anutin thanked US President Donald Trump for his constructive role in supporting efforts to ease tensions.

He reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to international law, good-neighborly relations and a peaceful resolution through bilateral mechanisms, including implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Accords.

On trade, Anutin reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to concluding an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States as soon as possible.

He said Thailand was ready to continue its long-standing relationship with the US and further strengthen the alliance, while expanding cooperation that benefits people in both countries and promoting regional peace, security and stability.

Weather forecast from 07:00 on 14 August to 07:00 on 15 August

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