Chao Phraya Express Boat Company has announced a 1-baht increase across all boat types starting Friday, August 21, due to rising diesel prices at 37.59 baht per litre.

Navatri Chareonporn Chareontharam, managing director of Chao Phraya Express Boat Company Limited, which operates passenger boat services on the Chao Phraya River between Pak Kred and Wat Rajsingkhorn piers, stated that following a diesel price increase to 37.59 baht per litre on August 12, the company is raising all boat fares by 1 baht from their original rates, effective Friday, August 21.

Fare increases by boat type and route:

• Orange Flag: Nonthaburi–Wat Rajsingkhorn route, increased from 17 baht to 18 baht (all stops) • Yellow Flag: Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 22 baht to 23 baht (all stops) • Green-Yellow Flag: – Pak Kred–Nonthaburi route, increased from 15 baht to 16 baht – Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 22 baht to 23 baht – Pak Kred–Sathorn route, increased from 34 baht to 35 baht • Red Flag (air-conditioned): Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 31 baht to 32 baht

The company noted that if diesel prices decrease in the future, fares will be adjusted downward accordingly.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, speaking as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed the proposed cabinet reshuffle on August 19, saying the government should not be bound by a strict one-year timeline for personnel changes. He argued that all ministers are already under evaluation and accountable to the public, and that anyone failing to perform should be replaced on merit, not schedule.

Chaidchob emphasized that all ministers are working at full capacity and are being assessed continuously. He said any reshuffle decision rests with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. When asked if cabinet criteria should focus on performance, he confirmed that work results must be the only consideration.

Asked about tensions between political parties affecting government stability, Chaidchob said the government remains very stable and dismissed political rumors as routine, especially near confidence votes. He characterized recent attacks over old legal cases—including the Hua and Khao Kradong cases—as attempts to discredit the government at a time when it is performing well. "It reflects that the government has notable achievements, which is precisely why opponents are resurrecting old cases to undermine it now," he said.

On August 19, Jit Isara led a group of victims to file complaints at the Central Investigation Command. The victims reported being defrauded in a Pokemon card and collectible card investment scheme totaling over 5 million baht in losses.

A 15-year-old victim, referred to as Mr. A, said he first met the suspect at a gaming and card event in Bangkok. The suspect befriended him and persuaded him to buy Pokemon cards. Over approximately four months, purchases and deliveries proceeded normally, yielding about 10 percent profit on resales. This built trust, and the victim continued investing because the suspect's profile appeared credible and was known among traders and card game enthusiasts.

Contact with the suspect occurred through a personal Facebook account, not a business page. All payments went to a single bank account. Eventually, the victim did not receive the latest shipment of cards; the suspect claimed customs or shipping delays. The victim also loaned the suspect about 10,000 baht. His personal losses totaled approximately 140,000 baht.

Twenty victims have experienced similar behavior, with combined losses exceeding 5 million baht. The suspect has since closed his Facebook and Instagram accounts and cannot be reached.

Another victim, a 23-year-old named Mr. L, met the suspect through another victim. The suspect proposed trading graded Pokemon cards initially, including a Umbreon "Split Earth" card with a market price of 500,000 baht, which the suspect offered for 410,000 baht. Mr. L was eventually defrauded, losing approximately 640,000 baht.

Jit Isara said all victims are filing formal complaints with the Crime Suppression Division to pursue legal action. The suspect's fraud extends to other collectible cards beyond Pokemon, and authorities expect additional victims to come forward.

A selection committee chaired by Natthriya Tavivanggul, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, announced that two candidates passed screening from a total of ten applicants for the position of new SAT director. They are Dr. Meechai Inwud, deputy director for administration, and Pordpran Samanmit, deputy director for professional sports and muay boxing.

On August 19, the SAT board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Thongsak Thongsri with Minister Surasak Panjaicharungkul as vice-chair, convened at Government House to select the new director. Reports confirm the board has appointed Pordpran Samanmit as the new director, making her the 14th leader of SAT and the first female director in the organization's 62-year history. The board has determined her remuneration and drafted an employment contract, which will be submitted to the State Enterprise Policy Office under the Finance Ministry for approval, then returned to the SAT board for final approval, followed by submission to the Cabinet for endorsement.

Pordpran Samanmit, nicknamed Tor, was born on April 1, 1969, and is currently 57 years old. She is from Khon Kaen province and holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Chulalongkorn University and a master's degree in public and private administration from Ramkhamhaeng University. She joined SAT on April 9, 1991, and has progressed through various roles: public relations director (2012–2017), director of the director's office (2017–2021), deputy director for strategy and information technology (2021–2022), deputy director for sports promotion (2022–2024), and most recently deputy director for professional sports and muay boxing (2024–present). She also completed the 66th course of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Defense and Deception Prevention program in 2023–2024. In 2025, the SAT board voted to appoint Pordpran Samanmit as the 14th director and the first female leader in the organization's history.

Deputy Interior Minister Jaichatra Thaisehat has mobilized jet skis, boats, and helicopters to assist with flash flooding in Nan province, with flood waters expected to reach Mueang District on August 20. Officials have issued orders for maximum preparedness and explicitly prohibited any loss of life. On August 19 at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Jaichatra chaired a central command meeting attended by Permanent Secretary Arthit Samphantharatana and other senior officials to oversee relief operations for flash flooding in the northern region.

Jaichatra instructed Nan's deputy governor and Pua District officials to immediately evacuate vulnerable populations and monitor all social media requests for assistance. He ordered the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and lower northern units to rush jet skis and flat-bottomed boats to Nan, and deployed a KA32 helicopter to stand by for emergency operations. Coordination was ordered with highways authorities, police, and local volunteers to quickly transport vehicles, equipment, drinking water units, mobile kitchens, and personnel supplies to affected areas.

Deputy Governor Burjang Kunpetch reported that flash flooding and heavy rain have impacted three districts in Nan: Pua, Mae Chrim, and Santisuk, with Pua District the hardest hit. Nine subdistricts, 35 villages, 8,000 households, and approximately 16,000 people have been affected, with five roads cut off. Ten evacuation centers have been established, and military units, disaster prevention teams, volunteers, and foundations are distributing personnel to affected areas to assist those stranded in homes.

Bangkok has received its first GO Kart, a mobile gaming station that brings video games to children receiving hospital care, at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. Scar, a member of the Hermitcraft Minecraft creator community and a Gamers Outreach board member, announced the arrival on X on 18 August, writing: "New country unlock by the Hermitcraft community. Thailand received their first GoKart!"

The portable gaming kiosk was provided through Gamers Outreach's partnership with the Hermitcraft community. Despite its name, a GO Kart is not a racing vehicle. The units can be wheeled to patients' bedsides and carry a television, gaming console, controllers and games, allowing hospital staff to bring entertainment directly to children receiving treatment.

Gamers Outreach says its carts are designed specifically for healthcare settings, with adjustable screens and storage for accessibility devices. It began producing the units in 2008 and says it has deployed them to hundreds of hospitals worldwide. The Samitivej Srinakarin delivery is the first confirmed GO Kart placement in Thailand. It may also be the first in Southeast Asia, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Hermitcraft, a long-running invite-only Minecraft community, has become one of Gamers Outreach's most prominent fundraising partners. Its members first held a charity livestream for the organisation in 2022, raising more than $439,000, enough to fund more than 100 carts. The community raised more than $840,000 at Gamers for Giving in 2024, followed by more than $847,000 in 2025. Its fourth annual fundraiser in 2026 raised more than $1 million, according to Gamers Outreach.

By April 2025, Gamers Outreach said Hermitcraft had helped provide more than 310 GO Karts, estimated to create about 899,000 gaming experiences for hospitalised children each year. Scar joined the charity's board in 2025. Gamers Outreach accepts donations to help provide gaming equipment and play experiences for children receiving hospital care.