On August 13, obstetrician and gynecologist Nopmesat Sricharusitthikul, known as Doctor Yeen, posted on Facebook through the page "Birth with Doctor Yeen" asking: "Rainwater doesn't contain cold viruses... so why do children always get sick when they get rained on?"

Doctor Nopmesat clarified: "Mothers, raindrops don't contain cold viruses and raindrops don't harm your child." He notes this is one of the biggest misconceptions in Thai society, passed down through generations, making many parents feel guilty when their children get wet in rain.

Medically, rainwater is pure H₂O falling from the sky, though it may contain dust particles, but it contains no "cold or flu viruses." The reason children often become ill after getting rained on is not the water itself, but what happens to the body when exposed to cold. When raindrops hit a child's skin and head, surface temperature drops rapidly, triggering the body's automatic response: vasoconstriction of blood vessels. Blood vessels in the respiratory tract, nasal mucosa, and throat constrict, reducing the circulation of white blood cells and immune defense. In simple terms, the child's respiratory defense weakens temporarily.

Conciding with rainy season, the air has high humidity and cooler temperatures—ideal conditions for rhinovirus and RSV to thrive and spread. When children's immune defenses weaken, they breathe in virus-laden air, allowing viruses to establish and multiply easily.

In summary, rainwater doesn't cause colds, but the cold from rain weakens the child's first line of immune defense, giving viruses an opportunity to attack.

The doctor does not recommend letting children play in heavy rain, as they risk hypothermia and rainwater in cities may contain irritants that affect eyes and skin.

If your child accidentally gets caught in the rain, parents should not scold or feel guilty. Instead, take these three immediate steps:

1. Dry the body and hair thoroughly: This restores warmth to the head and body, allowing blood vessels to expand and resume normal circulation of white blood cells. 2. Change into dry, warm clothes: Avoid letting wet clothes cling to the skin for long periods. 3. Give warm water to drink: This helps regulate temperature in the throat area and moisturize the respiratory tract lining.

Modern parenting requires understanding the science behind illness. If your child develops high fever, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or refuses to feed, seek medical attention promptly, as it may be more than a common cold.

Police Deputy Commander Major General Surapong Thanomjit announced on August 13 that following an initial complaint, Police Lieutenant Thanongsak Sawatdigomol, Deputy Chief of Bang Hang Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, filed a report of assault. The case has been assigned to Deputy Commander Pornchai Kanjorklin of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, along with Region 8 Provincial Police Command investigators, who have already gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses at the incident location in Hua Khuan Village, Pariik Subdistrict, Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m. during a Buddhist merit-making ceremony for the mother of the Pariik Subdistrict Mayor. After the service ended, an argument broke out between Police Lieutenant Thanongsak and Chaichangwit Detchdetcho, a Member of Parliament and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, which escalated into a physical altercation involving a punch to the ear.

Police will call additional witnesses and summon Chaichangwit Detchdetcho for formal questioning. Investigators will examine all aspects of the incident, including whether the injured officer was dragged away from the scene. The commander emphasized that all persons involved will face prosecution regardless of rank, status, or political position, as everyone must be subject to the same law. He noted that such conduct is considered an affront to police honour and cited that Chaichangwit has faced prosecution and court judgement previously.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul has directed the Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police to operate as a unified partnership using integrated data systems to combat crime. He has mandated the establishment of weapons screening checkpoints and instructed officials to maintain strict protocols, reject outside interference, and disregard requests for favors, stating that genuine government officials would never make such calls.

At 9 a.m. on August 13, 2025, at the Challenger Impact building in Muang Thonburi, the PM and Interior Minister launched a practical workshop on implementing security operations under government policy at the provincial level, with participation from Interior Ministry permanent secretaries, provincial governors, district officers, and Royal Thai Police commanders from Regions 1, 2, and 7.

The PM outlined nine priority cooperation areas stemming from workshops conducted over the previous two months: land encroachment, cybercrime, nominee issues, money laundering, influential criminals, informal debt relief, tourist safety, database connectivity, and drug suppression and prevention.

The PM emphasized that these issues are well-known and that proper management would bring peace, security, and improved quality of life. He stressed that security threats take multiple forms across family, community, and national levels, with criminals operating through complex networks. He expressed confidence that close coordination between governors and police commanders, district officers and officials, and local administration staff would address fundamental security and peace concerns.

The PM highlighted the importance of provincial administration and police working as a single team, describing them as "twin pairs" essential to national security. He called for the use of unified data systems, or One Data, to ensure consistent information, efficient operations, and proactive problem prevention within a 90-day timeframe.

On weapons control, the PM noted that strict measures are currently in place. The Interior Ministry's Department of Local Administration has halted issuance of Category 3 firearms permits for ordinary citizens, and Category 12 permits have not been issued for three years. The PM directed intensified enforcement to prevent copycat behavior and undesirable incidents.

PHUKET — A 24-year-old Indian tourist was injured after falling in a jet ski accident at Patong Beach on August 12, 2026, with rescuers later taking him to Patong Hospital for treatment.

A Facebook user named Chue Luang Niren posted a video showing Patong Beach lifeguards rushing to assist the injured tourist, with a message saying: "Urgent rescue as tourist falls from jet ski and is injured."

According to the post, the tourist, identified as Jagga Hardik, 24, had rented a jet ski off Patong Beach in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket. While riding the jet ski, the watercraft struck his leg, causing him to fall into the water and suffer an injury.

Patong Beach lifeguards who witnessed the incident immediately assisted and brought the tourist back to shore. The incident occurred around 18:30 on August 12.

The Facebook user, who operates a taxi queue in the area, called the 1669 emergency medical hotline for assistance. Around 19:30, rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation arrived at the scene, provided first aid, and transported Hardik to Patong Hospital for medical examination and treatment.

Initial checks found that the tourist was unable to walk. Rescue workers used a stretcher to carry him from the beach. The exact nature and severity of his leg injury remained pending further medical examination.

Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), visited coastal communities in Songkhla to monitor projects aimed a...