Chiang Mai — A cat owner is appealing for help and offering a reward of 50,000 baht to find Tao Tao, a gray cat that went missing in the Fa Ham area without any trace.

On August 20, a user named Zheng Xin posted about the missing cat, prompting concern among animal lovers in Chiang Mai's central district. The owner is searching for a beloved domestic gray cat that has vanished, with a reward of up to 50,000 baht offered if found within the week.

The incident occurred in the Fa Ham area. The missing cat's name is Tao Tao, a male gray cat with a distinctive blue collar. He is friendly and accustomed to people. The cat went missing near house number 73, moo 3, Fa Ham subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province.

Reward details: 30,000 baht for anyone who helps find the cat, increased to 50,000 baht if found by this Sunday.

Advice for anyone who spots the cat: The owner asks for the public's cooperation. If you see the cat, please do not chase it, as it may become frightened and run further away. Instead, please take a photo and send the location coordinates to the owner immediately.

Anyone with information or sightings of a cat matching this description is urged to contact the owner right away at +66 6132 10494 to help reunite Tao Tao with his family safely.

Deputy Prime Minister Atchanan Wongsuwan, chairing the Northern Region Flood and Drought Prevention Committee, convened a meeting on August 20 with provincial officials, local administration organizations, and relevant agencies to assess the ongoing response efforts. Although flood conditions have passed the critical stage and entered recovery, ongoing rainfall has saturated soil and created high landslide risk, prompting urgent preparedness orders—particularly for three districts: Chalermprakiat, Thung Chang, and Bo Klua, which have received accumulated rainfall over multiple consecutive days due to their low-lying terrain. With forecasts predicting rain to continue for another week, the risk of landslides and mudslides remains elevated. Officials have been instructed to closely and strictly monitor these three districts and prepare rapid assistance for residents.

Rangers from the 36th Special Task Force rescued four stranded teachers from Ban Huay Pang Phang School on the evening of August 20, 2025, after heavy rains caused landslides and flash floods that cut off all exit routes from their location on the opposite bank of the Mae Sariang Stream. The school had been forced to close temporarily after flooding damaged a bridge and blocked multiple village access points. Rescue personnel tied security ropes between large trees on both sides of the stream, then used these lines to guide each of the four teachers across the rushing water one at a time until all were safely on the other side. The 36th Special Task Force continues to work with local agencies to monitor water and landslide conditions and maintain round-the-clock readiness to assist people in dangerous areas.

On August 20, senior traffic police officers from the Traffic Division conducted a joint operation and arrested a 50-year-old man, identified as Prachakon, at an air pollution emissions control checkpoint. The officers recovered a 9mm semi-automatic Stoeger pistol, a gun holster, a magazine, 15 rounds of ammunition, and a silver Isuzu pickup truck bearing Bangkok registration plate 5 Kho 1326.

The arrest took place at the emissions checkpoint on Luang Phaeng Road in Khum Thong subdistrict, Lat Krabang district, Bangkok. When the suspect's pickup truck passed through the emissions testing station, officers conducted an inspection. The suspect initially resisted but later consented to a search.

During the search, officers discovered the 9mm Stoeger pistol hidden in the center console between the driver's seat, a magazine found in the front dashboard storage area. The suspect admitted the weapon was his. He was charged with carrying a firearm into a municipal area or public place without a valid permit or lawful justification. The suspect and seized items were handed over to investigators for further proceedings.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on August 20 that two major New Zealand businesses have committed to investing in Thailand. Following separate one-on-one meetings in Auckland with T&G Global, a leading horticultural and fresh fruit company, and Jeff McDonald, Chief Executive of Skyline Enterprises, the Prime Minister confirmed both firms have secured local partners and are ready to launch operations.

T&G Global's fruit export business will focus on apples, with current sales in Thailand reaching approximately 3 billion baht annually and global sales around 100 billion baht per year. While the company does not grow apples in New Zealand, it possesses genetic technology and sources produce globally. Thailand's strategic location makes it ideal as a distribution hub for Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East. In the first phase, the company will use Thailand as a major distribution base. Phase two includes plans to explore whether Thai farmers can grow apples using the company's genetic technology, potentially boosting local agricultural output.

"The company is confident and has decided to make Thailand its distribution base. They arrived today and immediately requested a meeting, and tomorrow they will meet with potential local partners interested in collaborating or using Thailand as an additional production base," the Prime Minister said.

Regarding Skyline Enterprises, the Prime Minister indicated the company has presented architectural plans and is currently negotiating with Thai partners whose names cannot yet be disclosed. Since the business requires substantial land, the company is weighing whether to partner at an existing facility or secure a new location. The company has confirmed its decision to invest in Thailand.

Loei Province — On August 20, the Security Division of Phu Luang District in Loei Province responded to a house fire in Nong Khan subdistrict. District Chief Akkadet Netsuwan ordered personnel and community volunteers to investigate and provide immediate assistance.

The single-story concrete house, measuring approximately 8 by 12 meters, was already ablaze when local firefighters arrived. It took more than an hour to contain the fire. The wooden roof structure and glass windows were destroyed by the heat, and all contents inside—electrical appliances, clothing, and important documents—were burned beyond recovery. The house is now uninhabitable.

Investigators found evidence that valuables had been gathered in the center of the house before it was set alight. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed.

The homeowner, Suan, 65, explained that she lives with her son, a 35-year-old man (name withheld), who suffers from psychiatric illness caused by years of drug addiction. He receives medication and regular treatment from health officials.

Around noon on the day of the fire, her son became agitated and began destroying household items. Fearing for her safety, Suan fled to a relative's house. At 3 p.m., neighbors called to report the fire. When she returned, the house was engulfed in flames.

Neighbors and community volunteers noted that the son has a long history of drug use and recently began showing signs of hearing voices, talking to himself, and having frequent violent episodes. Before the fire, he had argued with his mother, locked himself in a room, and then set the house ablaze.

Phu Luang Police took the man into custody at the scene. His initial statements were incoherent, so officers transported him to the hospital for drug screening and psychiatric evaluation. He faces charges of arson and will be prosecuted under the law.

District Deputy Chief Abhichat Chanthawon coordinated with village elders and local administration to provide emergency food supplies and temporary shelter for Suan. They are preparing to accept donations and will expedite government assistance procedures. The incident highlights the devastating impact of drug addiction on families and communities.