Phuket – Thai authorities are searching for Jannik Jürgen Knobel, a 30-year-old German national, who went missing after entering the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket province on August 10, when strong winds and rough waves prompted officials to display red warning flags. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered the Royal Forest Department […]

PHUKET: Marine officials have rescued two adult green sea turtles found stranded on Phuket beaches, while a dolphin rescued after stranding at Patong has died from a severe bacterial infection.

DMT Managing Director Sakda Phanwai announced that the company posted total revenue of 1,287.58 billion baht for the first six months of 2025, derived from toll fees, service revenue, and sales of related products, with net profit of 525.16 billion baht. This demonstrates the company's effective cost management and sustained profitability despite external headwinds in the second quarter.

Second-quarter traffic volume reached 95,571 vehicles but was impacted by Middle East tensions, rising energy prices affecting travel costs and living expenses, approximately ten consecutive public holidays, and reduced flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport in May and June due to higher fuel costs, all of which dampened passenger numbers and airport-linked traffic.

The board approved an interim dividend of 0.446 baht per share totaling 526.83 billion baht for the first six months. Following a previous payment of 0.223 baht per share on June 11, 2025, the company will distribute the remaining 0.223 baht per share (263.42 billion baht) with a record date of August 24, 2025, and payment on September 10, 2025.

"Despite external factors in the second quarter—including Middle East developments, energy prices, and extended holidays—DMT maintained efficient cost control and sustained profitability while focusing on new revenue sources for future growth," Sakda said.

Sakda added that the company maintains its 2025 revenue growth target of approximately 10% while closely monitoring economic conditions, energy prices, and traffic trends. DMT is pursuing new business ventures in infrastructure engineering, repair and maintenance, digital payment systems, traffic systems, and related services to diversify revenue streams, reduce reliance on toll fees alone, and capitalize on future government infrastructure investment opportunities.

Udon Thani – A ceremony to enshrine a sacred Buddha relic at the Udon Thani World Flower and Garden Expo created a scene of devotion and auspiciousness on August 8, 2025. The relic was placed in a pavilion within the Commemoration Building to serve as a spiritual center for Buddhists and visitors attending the 2025 expo. The ceremony was presided over by Raphiphat Chanthasrivong, Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, alongside Deputy Governor Natphol Withee of Udon Thani Province, Kampol Tansacha, Chairman of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and Thongchai Wongwaipanitchaya, Chairman of Boris Company Limited. The ritual was conducted by Venerable Luang Pho Suthum Suthammo, Abbot of Wat Kaset Sil Khun, with six monks participating in the presence of officials, staff, contractors, and honored guests.

The enshrining of the Buddha relic represents another important moment reflecting the integration of nature, faith, and learning within the expo grounds. The event aims to showcase the diversity of plants and natural resource conservation principles while offering visitors an opportunity to experience Thai art, culture, and spiritual traditions. Beyond displaying the beauty of plants from Thailand and abroad, the expo serves as a learning and experience center connecting people with nature, culture, and conservation values. The relic's enshrinement will serve as an important spiritual destination for residents and tourists visiting Udon Thani Province during the expo.

CHIANG MAI — On 11 August 2026, Montfort College in Chiang Mai tightened security after a student allegedly posted a threat in a Line chat group to carry out a shooting at the school. A series of messages were shared with reporters regarding the incident, with students' names anonymized. Among the messages was a student displaying what appeared to be a handgun from a car, followed by discussions in a popular Line group called "Montford Dark Side" where students openly discussed carrying out a shooting.

The threatening messages caused alarm among parents, some of whom contacted the school and travelled there to collect their children. The school coordinated with Mae Ping Police Station, which sent around 20 officers to inspect the campus on 10 August. A teacher at the school said the students responsible had been identified and admitted to sending the messages "out of mischief" and in imitation of an online trend, without expecting it to spread so widely.

On 11 August, police and school staff conducted detailed security checks at the entrance and inspected classrooms. Officers also spoke to students about safety precautions and warning signs. The school said the situation has returned to normal and added that parents concerned for their children's safety may allow them to take leave from school when necessary. The school's student-affairs department coordinated with Mae Ping police investigators to help monitor security.

On August 11, 2025, the water level in the Mekong River at Nakhon Phanom province measured 11.83 meters, up 43 centimeters from the previous day, leaving only 17 centimeters before reaching the critical level of 12 meters. The rising water is pushing back tributary streams including the Songkhram, Thawi, and Kam rivers, causing them to overflow and flood agricultural areas across multiple localities, particularly along Suwannachai Road—a scenic tourist route stretching 6.5 kilometers from behind the Mekong River View Hotel through old town areas—where water levels average 50 centimeters to 2 meters. All vehicle traffic on this route has been completely prohibited.

In Ban Paeng district, heavy rainfall over the past week caused the Mekong to surge over its banks, flooding about 30 homes in Don Paeng village. Over 1,000 acres of farmland along the riverbank have been submerged. District officials have distributed relief supplies and are assisting elderly residents, bedridden patients, and vulnerable groups to move their belongings to higher ground in preparation for possible evacuation if water levels continue rising.

At Tha Uthen district, increased water flow has eroded a bypass road leading to Non Sawai village, Module 2, Pha Thai subdistrict, damaging a provincial road authority construction project route. Vehicles and motorcycles must now take a 10-kilometer detour via alternative routes. Village headman Tha Uthen requested the district chief to urgently coordinate with the provincial authority to repair the damaged bypass.

Provincial Governor Adisak Noisuwannon reported that the provincial government is prepared to close water gates if the Mekong reaches the warning level of 12.50 meters. Residents have already been alerted to move belongings to higher ground. If heavy rainfall occurs, water gates at multiple locations will be shut immediately. Region 7 Highway Authority has deployed 10 long-range pumping trucks to strategic points in Nakhon Phanom city, complemented by 20 municipal pumps ready for emergency deployment.