The Public Health Committee is investigating the 'biological father and mother' surrogacy scheme, in which hospitals falsely certify children born to surrogates. The committee has identified more than 20 suspect hospitals and plans to submit a bill restricting cannabis use to medical purposes only. It has also flagged the 'Doctor Ready' application as potentially fraudulent.

On August 22, 2569, at Parliament, Soklathee Pattiyakul, a Democrat list MP and vice-party chair serving as Public Health Committee chair, briefed reporters on progress in investigating the surrogate-parent fraud scheme. He said the committee is currently waiting for documents from agencies hesitant to disclose data. He urged the release of names of suspect hospitals and their submission to the committee for questioning.

In Bangkok, the committee requested a list of suspected surrogacy participants—approximately 500 people—but is still awaiting documentation. The committee's goal is to identify those responsible, as these cases typically involve organized networks. When information arrives, the committee will refer findings to other agencies with enforcement powers, such as the Anti-Corruption Committee, to trace money flows and expose gray-market corruption infiltrating every sector, including public health.

When asked what steps the committee can take if agencies fail to cooperate, Soklathee said legal powers exist to compel testimony, but the committee prefers not to resort to that measure. The committee's request is not political; it aims to solve a problem using data already in hand and simply needs clear agency confirmation. If normal requests fail, the committee may invoke legal subpoena powers or invite agencies weekly.

Preliminary checks identified roughly 8 private hospitals involved; the number has now grown to nearly 20. Next week, Parliament meets, and Soklathee said he will raise the 'Doctor Ready' application issue, reaffirming commitment to pursuing the surrogate-parent case fully because corruption has penetrated every process, including health services that drain Thai taxpayer budgets.

Asked how the committee will investigate the 'Doctor Ready' app—given that the Public Health Ministry claimed it was merely a data-entry error—Soklathee said he found the ministry's explanation insufficient. Between 200 and 300 complaints suggest this was not a simple keystroke error but potential fraud. He will summon the explainer again, as the case undermines public confidence. He previously wrote to the Health Ministry's permanent secretary, but he is not satisfied with the delegate sent; the representative must be someone who knows the facts. The case appears to show fraudulent intent, not mere data-entry mistakes.

Asked whether he views it as fraud rather than error, Soklathee said some observers claim that if enforcement were strict, almost no hospital in Thailand would be found fully compliant. For this reason, he believes a joint consultation is needed. If it is a Health Ministry KPI issue, that needs correction to prevent such incidents in future, rather than rushing to conclude that the data entry was wrong and closing the case.

When asked how the committee will address the current large-scale smuggling of cannabis out of the country, Soklathee said the issue centers on disclosure. He will write again to the Customs Department asking how much contraband cannabis has been seized and by whom. However, names of individuals moving large containers out remain unknown. From conversations, most smugglers appear to be foreign nationals, though they likely cannot operate alone.

Police arrested a 77-year-old fugitive at a hospital in Bangkok's Bang Rak district on August 22, ending a manhunt that had lasted more than 14 years. The suspect, identified as Bunsong (surname withheld on request), was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Minburi Provincial Court on November 15, 2012, on charges of attempted murder and unlawfully carrying a weapon in a public area.

The incident originated from a long-standing dispute between Bunsong and his neighbor living in the same village. The conflict stemmed from the neighbor's chickens regularly defecating on Bunsong's vehicle, which caused ongoing friction and frequent arguments between the two men. On November 14, 2012, tensions escalated into violence when another quarrel broke out. Bunsong allegedly stabbed the neighbor with a knife, causing serious injuries, then fled the area. Investigators gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant.

Police tracked Bunsong for years until learning he would visit a Bangkok hospital to collect medication. Officers staked out the hospital and arrested him outside the building. During interrogation, Bunsong claimed that both parties had struggled over the knife and that his neighbor fell onto it, sustaining injuries in the accident. He stated he panicked and decided to flee. He was transferred to Lam Phak Chee Police Station for further legal proceedings.

On August 22, large crowds from all walks of life in Uttradit province assembled at the monument of Phraya Phichai Daab Hak to participate in a grand merit-making and spirit-propitiation ceremony marking 111 years since the city's establishment. Government officials, private sector representatives, and residents jointly made merit by offering alms of rice and dry food to 222 Buddhist monks.

Santi Rangsiruj, the provincial governor of Uttradit, presided over the ritual honouring King Rama V's monument and the Phraya Phichai Daab Hak monument with elaborate offerings, incense, candles, and rose petals. At 9 a.m., 111 women dressed in traditional Uttradit silk performed a commemorative dance. Later at 5 p.m., 1,400 female dancers from all nine districts staged another large celebration along the market road.

Uttradit province commemorates August 22, 1458, when the city was officially renamed. The celebration marks the first major city merit-making in 111 years and aims to honour the province's long history and boost community pride. Many residents and lottery enthusiasts attended, seeking lucky numbers from the significant dates: 111, 458, and 22, which they planned to use for lottery tickets on September 1.

On August 22, Deputy Prime Minister Yossakon Vongswasdi, chairing the committee on flood and drought prevention in Thailand's northern region, presided over a meeting to assess the flood situation in Nan province and coordinate relief efforts for affected residents. Provincial and district officials, along with relevant agencies, participated both in person and via video conference.

The meeting heard reports that 40 military engineers with heavy machinery from Phitsanulok had been deployed, along with 550 personnel from the 38th Army Region and 80 from the 34th-35th Army Regions. Yossakon instructed the Pua District office to distribute troops across the affected areas and maintain continuous support. Police were tasked with managing traffic to ensure relief personnel and agencies could reach victims quickly.

The Royal Irrigation Department deployed water trucks and personnel to assist with cleanup and mud removal at homes in Jedi Chai and Ban Rong Ngae subdistricts in Pua District. The deputy PM also assigned the Department of Public Works and Town Planning to survey building damage to ensure comprehensive relief and recovery support.

Yossakon expressed concern for the psychological well-being of disaster victims, particularly families whose homes suffered severe damage. He instructed the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and local agencies to coordinate trauma care alongside home repairs, with Pua Hospital arranging medical staff to assess and support affected residents' mental health.

The ministry reported that staff had been deployed to care for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled in Silalang and Wonkhorn subdistricts. Yossakon emphasized that rapid recovery of homes and communities would be crucial for residents' psychological healing.

Actor Arak Akaratthaya attended the second day of the funeral ceremony for Ray McDonald at Wat Yang Royal Temple, opening up about their bond and the inspiration McDonald provided over their years of working together on travel and entertainment projects.

Akaratthaya recalled first meeting McDonald while filming the movie "O.T. Overtime," which led to opportunities to work together on various projects. When McDonald was starting a new travel show focused on mountains called "Climb," he contacted Akaratthaya to be the host, though McDonald himself preferred the ocean. "Ray has always been my idol since I started in the entertainment industry," Akaratthaya said. "When I saw him on television, I thought he was cool, but seeing him in person on set and working with him was truly amazing."

Akaratthaya credited McDonald as an inspiration for his approach to both performance and travel. "Through working with him on the 'Climb' series, which had three seasons spanning about three years, I learned so much by watching him. He was incredibly dedicated to his work and his life path," Akaratthaya explained. "He was someone with a clear sense of direction, not swayed by modern trends or social media. He chose his own way of living and it made him happy."

While Akaratthaya never formally sought advice from McDonald, he described learning through example. "I didn't consult him, but he was a role model through his actions—both in his acting and travel work. I recently learned he never formally studied acting, yet he approached each role with such sincerity and authenticity. That genuineness in his character work translated to everything he did." Akaratthaya acknowledged the loss of McDonald as part of a difficult year for the travel community, noting the show ran for three seasons and he spent considerable time working alongside him.