Human Rights Watch has urged Thai authorities to halt the deportation of 26 ethnic Karen villagers detained in Phetchaburi province, warning they could face serious danger if returned to Myanmar.

On 10 August, district and forestry officials, accompanied by Thai military personnel, raided a Karen community in Ban Pa Deng village in Kaeng Krachan National Park, targeting residents without proof of Thai citizenship.

Authorities arrested 28 villagers, including eight children and two pregnant women. Two were later released after officials verified their residence registration records, while the remaining 26 were transferred to the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok to face immigration charges and possible deportation to Myanmar.

"Deporting ethnic Karen villagers to Myanmar would put them at risk of grave danger," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

HRW said Myanmar's military has carried out mass killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and unlawful attacks since the February 2021 coup, while more than 2 million people have been internally displaced and more than 100,000 refugees have fled to neighboring countries.

Community leaders told HRW that Thai authorities have recently classified undocumented Karen in Kaeng Krachan National Park as "illegal immigrants," leaving them vulnerable to arrest and deportation. Residents of Ban Pa Deng said at least 10 villagers remained unaccounted for after being deported to Myanmar about two months ago.

HRW warned that deporting the 26 villagers could violate Thailand's obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face a genuine risk of persecution, torture or other serious harm.

Thailand's Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act also prohibits deportation where there is a substantial risk of torture or ill-treatment, the rights group said.

Karen communities have lived for generations in areas of present-day Thailand and Myanmar, including Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, long before Kaeng Krachan National Park was established.

The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. Thai authorities have since prohibited human settlement in the national park, including by Karen communities, despite concerns from UN human rights experts, Thailand's National Human Rights Commission and Indigenous groups over Karen ancestral land rights.

"Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's review of Thailand's human rights record in November, the Thai government should immediately end its abusive treatment of ethnic Karen in the Kaeng Krachan National Park," Pearson said.

Thailand's national football team is stepping up training ahead of the opening match of the 2026 AFF Championship final against Vietnam. The session on August 20 at BGTC 3 in Pathum Thani province lasted approximately 90 minutes and focused on correcting mistakes and improving game understanding.

Defender Manuel Tom Bihr said: "Both we and Vietnam deserve to be in this position. This is a fitting final matchup. Both teams have worked hard and faced many obstacles to reach this point. It's like climbing a mountain—the path is rough and not paved with rose petals. We're in good form and have good atmosphere. Previous matches may not have been ideal, but we'll focus and prepare well for the remaining two games. Vietnam has a clear playing style and deserves to be in the final. We have two decisive matches left and are working hard to be ready. We're in the final stretch of the competition. We can't predict the outcome, but it's important everyone gives their best. My goal is to focus on these two games, bring out our best potential and form, and fight to claim victory."

Bihr added: "For the opening match, I want all supporters to fill the stadium or come in as large numbers as possible. No matter how many fans attend, everyone plays an important role in strengthening our national team. Come cheer with us and be our 12th player in this match."

Midfielder Segsak Ratri said: "We're trying to recover our bodies well to be prepared. We're learning the coach's tactics, team chemistry, and what we've been working on. We've been together for nearly a month and a half now. Everyone is professional. We hope to secure victories and must recover as quickly as possible."

Segsak continued: "Our goal in these two matches is to take it one game at a time. First, we want to win at home because home advantage is crucial. We want Thai fans to come out and cheer us on in large numbers—it will be our motivation. We will secure the victory."

The AFF Championship final consists of two legs. The first match takes place on August 22 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok with Thailand hosting Vietnam, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. The second match is scheduled for August 26 at Ho Chi Minh City's Thong Nhat Stadium, also at 8:00 p.m.

On August 20, a funeral rite and Buddhist blessing ceremony for Ray McDonald, an iconic 1990s entertainer, was held at Wat Yang Luang Temple. The atmosphere was filled with grief as family, close friends, and colleagues paid their respects. Pete Thongchua, Ray's close friend from before their entertainment careers, opened up about their lifelong bond.

"Ray was like a younger brother I knew before he ever entered the industry," Pete shared. "My youngest brother was the same age as Ray. When Ray was around 12, 13, or 14, he'd stay at my house with other kids. We'd do activities together—cycling, hanging out. There was Ray, Chakrit, and others not in the business. We grew up together. But I watched him develop and grow until he became famous with Grammy, did radio shows, became an actor and host, and eventually became a YouTuber and content creator. I saw every step of his growth."

Pete revealed they last met three or four months ago. "My daughter had just finished plotting a film script and wanted to cast Ray in it. We were going to have Ray call to discuss it—we had everything lined up. But it never happened."

When asked if Ray seemed unwell at their last meeting, Pete said no. "He seemed completely fine that day. I'm used to his personality—he's always been a cute, mischievous type. That's just his character, and it never changed from before he was famous until now."

Pete concluded with a message inspired by Ray's life: "Life is much shorter than we think. Unexpected circumstances can happen to any of us. I want everyone to use whatever time they have left to be as happy as possible. Don't waste time on toxic things—they're pointless. To Ray's fans and everyone watching: if you have the chance to pray or make merit, please do so for him."

On August 20, 2024, the Thai Meteorological Department issued alert number 11 (165/2569) warning of heavy to very heavy rain in upper Thailand, with impacts lasting through August 21, 2024. Heavy downpours are expected across the North and Northeast due to active monsoon systems, creating significant risks of flash flooding and flash floods, particularly in hilly areas near waterways and low-lying regions. Residents are advised to avoid routes with repeated flooding problems.

Wave conditions in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will be fairly rough, with waves 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman Sea will see approximately 2-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters in storms. Fishermen are advised to navigate carefully and avoid thunderstorm areas, while small boats in the upper Andaman and upper Gulf should remain ashore during this period.

The public is encouraged to plan activities carefully and monitor updates from the Thai Meteorological Department via their website at http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 available 24 hours daily. The next alert will be issued on August 21, 2024 at 05:00 a.m.

Affected provinces on August 20 include: North (Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun); Northeast (Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom); Central (Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi); and East (Trat). August 21 impacts are expected to continue in the North, Northeast, Central, and other regions.

The National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council has launched the Siam Silica Framework to build a skilled semiconductor workforce supporting Thailand's chip industry ecosystem. Deputy Director Surin Khamfoi explained that the framework focuses on human resource development after the council identified semiconductor manufacturing as a growth opportunity with a large, interconnected supply chain. Rather than developing all segments simultaneously at high cost, Thailand will target high-value niches where it can maximize competitive advantage.

Analysis identified three growth sectors for Thailand: IC design, sensor and photonics devices, and power devices, alongside advanced packaging where the country already has a strong foundation. Thailand also possesses downstream supply chain capabilities in printed circuit board manufacturing and system integration assembly, offering opportunities to move up the value chain.

Currently, ASEAN accounts for approximately 20% of global semiconductor industry value, while Thailand represents only 1.37% of exports. The framework sets a target to increase Thailand's share to around 8% of the regional market. To achieve this, the council identified specific workforce requirements: approximately 1,330 technicians at the higher vocational level, 553 bachelor's degree engineers, 950 researchers and senior engineers, and 152 principal engineers and mentors distributed across the value chain. These figures align with a mission-oriented target based on planned investments in eight IC design companies or startups, one fabrication plant, and two advanced packaging facilities.

Fukuoka emphasizes that Thailand is not starting from zero, with a solid foundation of engineering and science graduates compared to regional peers. The country currently produces approximately 22,000 graduates annually in disciplines suitable for semiconductor industry employment, providing a platform to scale operations as foreign investment flows in response to workforce availability and infrastructure development.