Atthavit Rakjamruen, Chief Executive of the Bus Transport Company (BTC), announced that multiple regions are experiencing heavy, continuous rainfall and flash flooding. The company is implementing contingency measures nationwide, with station managers closely monitoring conditions and coordinating with traffic authorities to assess road safety before and during operations. Staff have been instructed to continuously inspect routes, particularly high-risk areas prone to flooding or heavy rain damage, and are authorized to reroute, avoid dangerous points, or temporarily suspend services as needed. The company is also prioritizing pre-service vehicle and driver inspections, and reminding drivers to exercise extra caution on wet, slippery, or flooded roads to prevent accidents. Passengers are advised to check travel information before departing, especially when traveling through areas at risk of heavy rain or flooding, and to allow extra travel time due to possible route changes or traffic delays. Atthavit emphasized that passenger safety remains the company's top priority, and operations will be adjusted to match conditions so that travelers reach their destinations safely.

The cabinet has approved toll rates for vehicles using Friendship Bridge 5 (Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxai), as proposed by the Ministry of Transport. Deputy Prime Minister Spokesperson Ploytalay Luksmilaengchan announced the approved fee structure, which includes: passenger cars up to 7 seats at 50 baht; small buses over 7 but not exceeding 12 seats at 100 baht; medium buses over 12 but not exceeding 24 seats at 150 baht; large buses over 24 seats at 200 baht; 4-wheel trucks at 50 baht; 6-wheel trucks at 250 baht; 10-wheel trucks at 350 baht; and trucks over 10 wheels at 500 baht. The regulation exempts international scheduled buses operating on the Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxai and Bolikhamxai–Bueng Kan routes, as well as up to 50 official vehicles from Thailand and up to 50 official vehicles from Laos, with exemption cards to be jointly designed by both countries.

On August 18, 2025, the Kalasin Provincial Election Commission, chaired by Thanaphat Na Ranong, distributed ballots to all 18 districts in the province at the provincial election coordination center. The handover was witnessed by officials including Deputy Police Colonel Montri Charulpong, Seksorn Satniweshan, Santi Chatupan, and staff members. The ballots will be used for the provincial administrative organization governor election on Sunday, August 23, 2025. At 11:00 a.m., the election commission held a preparatory meeting to ensure readiness for the election. The commission's campaign preparations began on August 19 with a training workshop for polling unit and vote-counting committee members at Chalong Boutique Hotel. On August 20, a public campaign event was held at the old Kalasin provincial hall to encourage voter participation. Election officials Nongrai Rak Roy and Swaeng Boonmee are scheduled to inspect polling stations on August 22–23 to ensure a smooth election process.

On August 18, Permanent Secretary Raviwarn Phurideach presided over the three-year anniversary event for the Department of Climate Change and Environment and formally opened the Climate Change Information Center (CCIC). Raviwarn stressed that climate change represents a critical global challenge requiring long-term international cooperation. He linked the department's work to government policies, including the Net Zero 2050 target and a proposed Climate Change Law pending cabinet approval, aimed at building business competitiveness and strengthening early-warning and disaster-impact management systems to reduce losses of life and property.

He outlined four key priorities: translating policy into action, preparing for multifaceted risks, accelerating tools for economic transition, and strengthening cross-sector cooperation. According to Dr. Pirun Saiyasittipanich, Director-General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the agency was established on August 18, 2023, to drive Thailand toward a low-carbon economy and build climate resilience. Over three years, it has evolved into the nation's center for climate management, working to improve disaster response and align initiatives with government policy while pursuing environmental, economic, social, and technological development through a just transition framework under Thailand's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).

The Permanent Secretary then opened the Climate Change Information Center on the department's second floor, serving as Thailand's large-scale climate big data hub. It collects, analyzes, and processes spatial data using high-resolution climate models to forecast disasters and support 76 provincial climate coordination centers and Bangkok, enabling efficient public service delivery.

At 1:30 p.m. on August 18, 2025, activist Sandhya Sawasdi filed a complaint at the Central Investigation Police Command against Rukchonok Srinok, known as Ice, a People's Party MP, on charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. Sandhya said the complaint stems from a post by Ice that used a clip and remarks from a subdistrict administrator mentioning "higher-ups," followed by royal language (the word "spoke") that is grammatically reserved for the monarchy, royal family, or Buddha alone. This conduct, Sandhya argued, clearly links and expresses intent toward a specific person.

Sandhya noted the case resembles a 2564 conviction in which Ice posted others' statements on her private account, resulting in a six-year prison sentence under Section 112 and the Computer Crime Act, currently under appeal. He said this shows disregard for the justice process. Beyond filing with the investigating unit, Sandhya said he will petition the Attorney General within one to two weeks to ask the court to revoke Ice's temporary bail, as the post breaches court conditions prohibiting similar conduct. He cautioned the MP that creating additional cases does not build popularity but accumulates legal troubles, and urged caution in speech and social media posts.

When asked whether filing might be seen as boosting Ice's visibility, Sandhya said he is not concerned and accepts being viewed as "losing out." He emphasized his duty under the Constitution Article 50 to protect nation, religion, and monarchy, and denied seeking attention or hidden benefit. He noted he has filed at least 40–50 Section 112 cases previously and views this as fulfilling his legal obligation when encountering clear and flagrant conduct. The investigating officer has recorded his statement and will forward the matter to a superior for further action.

Boxing camp manager caught smuggling migrants in Prachin BuriLegacyPolice arrested a boxing camp manager and ten undocumented migrants in Prachin Buri today, August 18, after a pickup truck carrying the group allegedly fled a police stop and ended up stranded on a village road. The driver, identified as 42 year old Wichan, was arrested with nine Bangladeshi nationals and one Myanmar national in Wang Tha Chang subdistrict, Kabin Buri district. Police also seized the white Isuzu pickup truck used to transport the group. Police said they spotted the pickup while patrolling Highway 359 close to the Sa Kaeo provincial border. The route is reportedly used to transport undocumented migrants entering Thailand from Cambodia. Photo via Highway Police Officers became suspicious after seeing the pickup travelling at speed with numerous bags in the back and signalled for the driver to stop. Police said the driver instead accelerated away, prompting officers to call for assistance. The pickup entered a village road in Wang Tha Chang, an area surrounded largely by farmland, before losing control and coming to a stop on the roadside. The driver and nine migrants then allegedly left the vehicle and fled into a nearby plantation. Police sought help from local officials to search for the group. All of them were caught after more than three hours. Photo via Highway Police During questioning, Wichan said he managed a boxing camp in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo, and had been transporting migrants for around three months. He told police that a man he knew only as Na hired him to make the trips for 5,000 baht each. Wichan said he took the work to help cover expenses at his boxing camp. According to his account, he picked up the migrants near the border in Aranyaprathet and was taking them to a bus terminal in Bangkok. Photo via Highway Police The migrants told police they had been working in construction in Cambodia and wanted to reach the Bangladeshi embassy in Thailand so they could arrange their return home. Police transferred the group to Wang Takhian Police Station for legal proceedings and said the investigation would continue to identify others involved. The story Boxing camp manager caught smuggling migrants in Prachin Buri as seen on Thaiger News.