The Excise Department has seized 40,500 packs of illegal cigarettes in Chachoengsao province, with an estimated street value of 3.6 million baht and projected fines exceeding 38 million baht. Excise Director Pornchai Theerawech stressed that the department prioritizes prevention and suppression of illegal goods, especially contraband cigarettes, which damage the economy, reduce state revenue, and distort fair trade. He instructed all subordinate agencies to increase rigor in investigations, monitoring, and enforcement against smuggling and the distribution of tax-evading products, with proactive and strict law enforcement.

Following these directives, multiple excise offices coordinated an inspection of a suspected shipment at a distribution center in Chachoengsao on August 13, 2025. Officers discovered a violation of the Excise Tax Act and seized 40,500 packs of illegal cigarettes held for sale without tax payment. The estimated street value was approximately 3,645,000 baht, with projected excise tax of 2,543,400 baht and estimated fines of 38,151,000 baht. The seized goods have been forwarded to Laem Chabang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Director Pornchai reaffirmed that the Excise Department will continue strict and sustained efforts to prevent and suppress illegal cigarettes and contraband goods. The department will prioritize active investigation and inspection to intercept smuggling and the distribution of untaxed products, applying the law decisively against offenders to protect state interests, ensure fair trade, and boost confidence among law-abiding businesses.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned the public not to fall victim to scammers promising easy wealth, speaking at Bangkok Railway Station on August 15 after opening the Digital Shield campaign. He emphasized that people should ignore such calls even when threatened or when callers claim to be relatives in debt, and should report immediately to police.

"Tell yourself not to follow their instructions, no matter what threats they make," Anutin said. "If you can file a report and log it with police, the police and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society will coordinate to rapidly arrest and prosecute these criminals."

Anutin stated that overnight wealth and high returns from one or two phone calls simply do not exist—only deception that causes suffering. He cited statistics showing that call center scams have dropped by more than 50 percent over the past six to seven months, thanks to coordinated work with agencies including the Anti-Money Laundering Office. He noted that while authorities are pursuing perpetrators and seizing cash assets, some may disappear before seizure or be laundered before confiscation.

When asked about the government's targets for reducing fraud cases, Anutin said the goal is set at the highest level and requires a comprehensive campaign so people do not become victims. He cited tragic cases in which government employees and retirees lost four to five million baht in savings from a single scam call promising high returns.

"If people avoid becoming victims of these criminals, they can live normally without debt and retire happily," he said. "In this world, easy money does not exist. Don't do anything and just believe others will make you rich. In reality, that is not how the world works."

Nineteen-year-old Thai-American actress Denis Jelilchaha Kappun has established herself as a regular in horror films, from the sci-fi thriller The Wailing through her current role in The Confession of a Shaman Doctor, now playing in cinemas. Another horror film, Exchange, is scheduled for release in early November. Denis opened up about her frequent work in the horror genre, life in the entertainment industry, and the goals she hopes to achieve.

On her character in The Confession of a Shaman Doctor, Denis explained: "This isn't just an ordinary ghost film—it's more like a life drama that tells human stories. I play Mali, a factory worker who becomes the girlfriend of Doctor To, played by Alek Theeradej. She brings light into his world, and as a character, she sets many things in motion. I can't really spoil this character, so everyone should watch the film."

When asked how the role challenged her, Denis said: "This is another character I've never played before. I'd only done the three Wailing films where I played the same character for three years. Moving to Mali, who is quite different from that character with a different life story and added complexity—even if there aren't many heavy scenes, there are small details to capture. There are also some cute moments. Beyond Alek's dark storyline, all the characters are dark and dramatic, but my part shows a sweeter side of Doctor To."

On working alongside veteran actor Alek Theeradej, Denis praised his dedication: "Alek committed fully and lost weight very quickly. By the time we started filming, he'd already slimmed down significantly. During our workshop, we had to prepare scenes together because the relationship develops rapidly—from strangers to lovers. We needed to build chemistry before filming those scenes."

Denis also expressed gratitude for working with other accomplished actors, saying she felt fortunate to learn from experienced cast members including Alek, Chakrit, Bam, Ranya, Wai Faulkner, and Am Amporn. "Each person has their own style and technique, and I'm grateful to have worked with them all."

On life at nineteen, Denis reflected: "This year started quite heavy. I've been busy constantly—traveling abroad frequently, flying often for work and filming while studying. I've been growing and learning alongside my age. Life gets busier each year, but that's good. If life were always easy, I might get bored. My life isn't easy at all, but there's plenty to learn and it's actually quite fun."

Mahachulalongkorn University has expanded its academic cooperation network with government agencies by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Thai Air Force. The five-year agreement aims to integrate Buddhist teachings with humanities, social sciences, and modern management education while promoting sustainable national development.

Phratephvajrasarbandित (Prasarn Chantsaro), Vice President for Planning and Development, signed on behalf of the university, while Air Chief Marshal Saksorn Kantha, Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, represented the military branch at the ceremony held at Air Force headquarters. Senior military and university officials attended the signing.

University executives involved in the signing included Phrathpanyavajrabandित, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Phramaha Somchai Kittipanyo, Head of the Foreign Language Department; and Kiattisak Sukleung, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The agreement establishes three main areas of cooperation: promoting security activities to support national security, religion, and the monarchy; developing educational, research, and innovation initiatives including personnel and resource exchanges; and supporting staff exchange and knowledge transfer programs.

Vice President Prasarn Chantsaro stated that the partnership represents a significant step in integrating Buddhist scholarship with modern science to create social and national value. The collaboration will serve as a foundation for producing knowledge and innovation responsive to social change while developing personnel with expertise, capability, and moral character to drive sustainable national development.

"This memorandum is another important milestone for Mahachulalongkorn University in expanding cooperation with government agencies to elevate education, research, and academic services to society," Prasarn Chantsaro said.

Air Chief Marshal Saksorn Kantha also signed similar academic cooperation agreements with Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University and North Bangkok University.

Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liengprasert has ordered a thorough investigation into concerns raised on social media about lunch quality and portions at Wat Pradu 1 Municipal School in Mueang Surat Thani, following online criticism about the appropriateness, quality, and quantity of meals provided to students.

Liengprasert stated that relevant agencies must investigate the facts in detail, as school lunch is a direct benefit for children. Schools must assure parents that their children receive adequate and appropriate meals. He stressed that children's meal concerns cannot be dismissed as mere social media comments and must be seriously investigated, including menu items, portions, quality, procurement processes, and inspections—all of which must comply with standards and nutritional requirements.

The deputy minister instructed provincial and local authorities to check the reported concerns and produce a clear public report to build parent confidence. The investigation aims not merely to determine right or wrong, but to assess whether documented processes match reality.

"Good school meals must pass both the system and the eyes of those who actually eat them—the children," Liengprasert said. "Documents must be correct, processes must be verifiable, and food on the plate must be quality, appropriate, and sufficient. We must examine every dimension because the goal of lunch budgets is not just procurement, but ensuring children eat well and receive proper nutrition for their age."

Local authorities must closely monitor school lunch programs, verifying that meals match planned menus, portions are adequate, and inspections follow proper procedures with transparency. If complaints arise, they must be the starting point for investigation, with schools and local bodies held accountable. The Interior Ministry will follow up on findings and ensure compliance with relevant standards, with student welfare as the priority.

A toxic gas leak from a vessel at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda, Chittagong, southeastern Bangladesh, has killed at least eight workers and left five others missing. Witnesses reported hearing loud screams from inside the shipbreaking yard before workers fled and rushed injured colleagues to nearby hospitals. Police said officials are conducting a large-scale search for the missing workers and investigating the cause of the incident.

The yard, which was dismantling an ex-liquefied natural gas carrier, is registered as an environmentally compliant facility. However, fire service officials said safety procedures appear to have been neglected, stating that the vessel should have been completely cleared of any gas residue before cutting operations began.