AIS has mobilized its intelligent network infrastructure to respond to severe flooding in northern Thailand, establishing a 24-hour operations center and deploying mobile base stations and communications equipment to support relief efforts in Nan Province and surrounding areas. Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding and water overflow, particularly in Pua District, where rapidly rising water levels have impacted homes and roads across multiple districts. AIS has assembled engineering and technical teams to maintain mobile networks and home internet service while providing communications equipment to relevant agencies supporting disaster relief.

The company has enhanced communication system continuity measures to support residents, rescue personnel, and disaster relief organizations through several key initiatives:

• Operating a round-the-clock operations center to monitor and manage mobile networks, home internet, transmission systems, and base stations in at-risk areas in real time.

• Deploying mobile base stations and field teams to boost network capacity in affected areas, strategic locations, and areas with heavy usage, standing ready to enter areas immediately once routes are safe.

• Strengthening backup power systems by preparing generators, fuel, and backup equipment for primary base stations in case of power failures.

• Monitoring critical facilities including hospitals, incident command centers, evacuation centers, shelters, relief points, and staff work areas.

• Using artificial intelligence and IoT to support network management, analyze usage volumes, and optimize network performance, while preparing to install water-level monitoring equipment at vulnerable points and tracking weather conditions, electrical systems, and base station accessibility.

• Coordinating with local agencies to share information and support communications in cooperation with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, government offices, local administrative organizations, rescue units, and civil society.

• Supporting the JIC center's communications by providing AIS 5G CPE routers to the Region 3 Public Relations Office to strengthen the news team and emergency communication capabilities for monitoring and reporting flood situations in Nan Province.

AIS will closely monitor the situation and accelerate network recovery in case of emergencies to ensure residents can contact family, request help, and receive government information continuously throughout the flooding crisis.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission released on August 19 the asset and liability disclosure of a newly elected Member of Parliament filed on March 15. Among the notable first-term MPs examined, Krit Itchaya Phakhainn, a Democrat Party MP for Trang Province District 3, disclosed total assets of just 15,644 baht held across six savings accounts. His total liabilities stand at 4,574,299 baht, comprised of 248,108 baht in overdraft debt, 4,031,488 baht in bank and financial institution loans, and 294,703 baht in other liabilities. Prior to taking office, he worked as a self-employed technical draughtsman and is unmarried.

The single word 'higher-up' has become a flashpoint after activist Aitem Prithat released new photos and audio clips in a Senate election-buying case, implicating Withaya Khamphuang, a former police officer and subdistrict mayor from Nong Khai province, and raising questions about links to major political networks. Evidence includes photos of Withaya in a hotel room with Senate candidates before the national election and audio clips containing the phrase 'this is a mission for the higher-up,' plus conversations about candidate nominations and the Senate presidency. Withaya acknowledged appearing in the photos but claimed he was merely driving a female candidate to Bangkok for safety reasons, and denied the audio was his voice, suggesting it may be edited. The phrase 'higher-up' has drawn intense scrutiny—Withaya claims it refers to the Election Commission or central directives, not political power brokers—an explanation many find unconvincing given the political context of the recordings. The ruling Pheu Thai Party has pressed the investigation, pointing to photos of Withaya wearing Thai Pride Party shirts at political events and questioning a 7,520-baht hotel bill, urging a bank statement review to follow the money. Withaya maintains he has no involvement in vote-buying, has never accepted party funds, and welcomes financial scrutiny. Ultimately, whether these are allegations or facts, with photos, audio, and financial questions in play, state agencies have a duty to investigate rather than let society debate endlessly. The Election Commission, which is concluding its vote-buying investigation, must clarify whether this evidence will be examined and why Withaya has not been called for questioning despite being implicated to this extent. If the Election Commission ignores this, it risks damaging its credibility and potentially facing accusations of dereliction of duty. This case should not fade away quietly; authorities must answer plainly who 'the higher-up' is, what they are involved in, and whether this refers to a political party—especially in a major national case where the public should not be left guessing.

A House committee on law, chaired by Rangsiman Rom and including Major General Tawi Sod Sod, visited Yala and Songkhla provinces to review law enforcement and justice administration while monitoring human rights protections to support peace-building efforts in the southern border region, which remains troubled. The delegation also met at the Yala Police Operations Center to discuss the assassination attempt on Kamlasak Leewamueaw, a Narathiwat MP from the Pracharaj Party. Although the connection to the southern conflict remains uncertain, the case has damaged public confidence in the area. Major General Tawi stressed to officials the importance of investigating the two M-16 rifles used in the attack by checking manufacturer and customs records to determine which agency received them. The weapons had previously been found near Narathiwat Rajanagarindra University, prompting investigators to establish the facts. Public perception of the case has led some to suspect state involvement in the killing, undermining faith in the justice system and human rights principles in the region. Officials were asked to handle the case transparently and to expand the investigation to include suspects who had allegedly been following the MP to establish the truth and ensure fairness to all parties. Currently, five defendants—former naval personnel, former rangers, and an auto-shop owner—are in custody with security agencies, while two naval officers face court proceedings. The shop owner has been sentenced to prison for his role in destroying the getaway vehicle. However, the case remains problematic because those who allegedly directed the attack remain unidentified, and the ownership and chain of custody of the weapons used require further clarification. Authorities are urged to pursue the investigation transparently, as clearing up this case would help build peace in the region.

Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that Nan Nakhon Airport remains open for normal operations and flights are running on schedule, despite flooding in the region. However, road access to the airport is restricted in some areas, which means passengers may experience longer travel times to reach the terminal. The authority recommends that travelers check routes and traffic conditions before departing, allow extra time for the journey to the airport, and monitor flight status closely with their airline, as heavy rain and flooding could change at any moment and may affect ground transportation or flight operations. Weather conditions—particularly heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and poor visibility—are critical safety factors for flight operations and can cause delays, route changes, or flight cancellations. The Civil Aviation Authority and related agencies are monitoring the situation continuously with passenger safety and flight operations as the priority. Passengers are also advised of their rights under Civil Aviation Committee Regulation No. 101, which protects passenger rights on domestic and international flights and sets out airline duties in cases of delay, cancellation, or denial of boarding. The regulation defines passenger entitlements and compensation based on the cause and conditions outlined in the rules. Travelers planning to fly through Nan province during this period should allow extra travel time, verify ground routes, and check flight status with their airline before departure to adjust their plans appropriately. Airlines may offer additional passenger assistance measures in response to the current situation.

Disciples at Wat Pa Adulyaram remain anxious despite police arresting a 52-year-old man who disrupted the temple. Officers in uniform and plainclothes continue to maintain a heavy security presence at multiple points inside and outside the monastery.

At 5:30 p.m. on August 19, police were positioned at the abbot's quarters and all entrances of Wat Pa Adulyaram in Khon Kaen's municipal district. The suspect, a resident of Samran subdistrict, had ridden a grey-and-black Honda Wave motorcycle into the temple grounds late at night and again in the afternoon to confront monks and supporters over a land dispute involving the estate of a former abbot and the monastery. He was taken to Muang Khon Kaen Police Station for processing.

Nai Kavi, 57, a longtime disciple, expressed ongoing concern: "Even though police arrested him, I'm still worried. With police filling the temple, reporters everywhere, and supporters around, he still showed no fear before his arrest—he parked his motorcycle right in front of the abbot's cell without hesitation, as if he came to mock us. The incident last night was shocking. If he disrupts us like this again, I and the other disciples living here will have to prepare ourselves differently. We've never experienced trouble like this before, so everyone needs to be much more careful now. The temple gates could be closed, but the abbot won't allow it because he's concerned about supporters moving freely in the neighbourhood. Personally, I'm frightened by what happened."