On August 18, officers from Hang Chat Police Station in Lampang received a report that a suspect on a motorcycle had stopped in front of a gold shop in Hang Chat district. The suspect wore a long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, black canvas shoes, and a full black motorcycle helmet. He attempted to open the shop's front door, but it was locked, preventing him from entering. He then quickly mounted his motorcycle and fled the scene.

Subsequently, Deputy Police Lieutenant Colonel Praphas Oubonsri, commander of Hang Chat Police Station, along with patrol officers, arrived at the scene to investigate. Security camera footage showed the suspect riding a Yamaha Fino motorcycle, parking in front of the gold shop, and approaching with a firearm while attempting to force the door open. Unable to enter due to the locked door, he quickly ran back to his motorcycle and sped away without obtaining any items.

Deputy Police Lieutenant Colonel Praphas ordered investigation and patrol teams to trace the suspect's escape route and coordinated with Muang Lampang Police to set up checkpoints along possible routes for tracking and apprehension. However, the suspect remains at large.

Thailand's national football team lost 1-2 at home to Singapore on August 18, 2025, in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2026 semifinal at Rajamangala Stadium, but advanced to the final on aggregate score of 4-3. Thailand had won the first leg 3-1 away in Singapore and held the advantage coming into this match.

Head coach Anthony Hudson made six player changes from the previous game. Thailand's starting lineup included Kampol Pathamarkkul, Pansa Hemviboonlert, Manuel Tom Bihr, Seksarn Ratree, Sarawut Yooyean (captain), Worachit Kanitsribampoen, Theerasak Phaiyimai, Narubadin Weeravatwanoddom, Picha Uthra, Wanchai Charunograran, and Patrick Gustavsson.

Singapore, needing goals, attacked from the start while Thailand sat deep and looked for counterattacking chances. In the 45th minute, Singapore took the lead 1-0 when Harrish Stewart converted a long ball after goalkeeper Kampol misdirected it, making the aggregate score 1-2.

In the 62nd minute, Thailand equalized from the penalty spot after Wanchai Charunograran was fouled by Riyahan Stewart. Kunkana Kamyok scored the penalty to level the second leg 1-1, bringing the aggregate to 4-2. Singapore regained the lead 2-1 in the 65th minute when Riyahan Stewart scored after collecting a loose ball, making the aggregate 4-3.

No further goals were scored. Thailand lost the second leg 1-2 but won the two-leg tie 4-3 on aggregate and secured a place in the AFF Cup final.

Chiang Mai – A collision between a van and sedan on a dangerous curve at kilometer 28 of Highway 1009 on Doi Inthanon resulted in one person sustaining a head injury on August 18. Jiraniti Chiang Saad, head of the integrated conservation area at Doi Inthanon National Park, reported that the van swerved and overturned after striking the sedan near Ban Luang subdistrict, Chom Thong district.

The injured driver, Narit Banthee, 37, was driving a Bangkok-registered van with license plate Hv 7521 and suffered a fractured skull. The sedan driver also sustained moderate injuries. Both vehicles were damaged, with the van requiring hydraulic cutting equipment to extract the injured occupant.

The accident occurred at a sharp curve where vehicles traveling uphill and downhill struggle to maintain their lanes, resulting in the collision. This location is known as a frequent accident hotspot. Officials from Doi Inthanon National Park and related agencies plan to install warning signs at the site to prevent future accidents.

Rescue personnel from the national park provided initial first aid and transferred the injured to Chom Thong Hospital. There were no fatalities reported.

A 37-year-old Myanmar woman gave birth in a rental room in Ang Thong province on August 18, after residents alerted local authorities. Fire rescue paramedics from Ang Thong Hospital responded to the scene in Pang Iw subdistrict and found that the baby—a boy—had already been born. Volunteer paramedic Prinyaa Suwannacharijinda, stationed at Ang Thong Fire Station 401, described the situation: upon arrival, the newborn was not crying, so responders measured the mother's blood pressure and stimulated the baby using a red rubber bulb to clear the airway and improve breathing. After providing initial care, both mother and baby were safely transferred by ambulance to Ang Thong Hospital.

The Krabi Local Administration Office has announced the revocation of 112 civil service appointments—40 from municipalities and 72 from subdistrict administrations—by August 31. On August 18, Sarojon Chaimatr, head of the Krabi Local Administration Office, revealed that committees met to review and revise orders in accordance with guidelines from the Central Local Government Employee Civil Service Commission regarding examination fraud in civil service recruitment and appointments.

The Subdistrict Administration Employee Committee of Krabi reviewed the roster against the new commission list and rescinded a previous May 25 resolution. Of the 95 originally recruited positions, 72 individuals were removed for not appearing on the new list, leaving 23 retained. The Municipality Employee Committee similarly revised its roster against the new commission list. After initially recruiting 44 positions on May 25 and 6 additional positions on June 26 (totaling 50), the committee voted to remove 40 individuals not on the commission's new list.

Both committees will submit their resolutions and the names of 112 individuals to be revoked to their respective municipalities and subdistrict administrations for processing. The Krabi Provincial Administration Committee is scheduled to meet on August 25 to consider revoking nine additional appointments not on the commission's new list.

Chaimatr noted that across subdistrict administrations, municipalities, and provincial administration, Krabi has a total of 121 individuals whose appointments must be revoked. All actions must be completed by August 31, following established procedures.

On August 18, 2025, Metropolitan Police Bureau officials raided a distribution center in the Pathumwan area of Bangkok following intelligence about illegal transport of counterfeit allergy medicine branded "Allergin Syrub." Officers inspected a box truck at the distribution point and discovered brown bottles with blue labels packed in 103 cardboard cases, totaling approximately 20,000 units ready for shipment to southern Thailand.

The operation resulted from sustained investigation by Bangkok Metropolitan Police. Officers tracked the merchandise distribution route and identified the driver, Somkiat, who was transporting the products for a company. Authorities are pursuing charges against him and expanding the investigation to include upstream suppliers and all involved parties.

Initial examination confirmed the syrup as counterfeit and revealed it was being used as an ingredient in bootleg herbal remedies labeled "4×100." Police are coordinating with the legitimate product owner to verify the counterfeiting and prepare charges under pharmaceutical law, trademark law, and related statutes.

Investigators determined the smuggling operation has been running for approximately one month, with shipments sent to multiple southern provinces and Phuket receiving particularly large quantities. The seized batch alone exceeds 20,000 bottles worth approximately 1.4 million baht at the street price of 70 baht per bottle. If daily shipments averaged 10,000 bottles over the month-long operation, total circulation could exceed 300,000 bottles.

Police warn anyone using counterfeit allergy products to mix with herbal remedies to exercise caution, as the seized goods pose potential health risks to consumers. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend additional suspects, particularly those controlling the supply chain and distribution network operating in southern Thailand.