Chiang Mai is moving forward with a tree-planting initiative to restore the community forest at Ban Pang Khi Lek in Mae Wang District, aiming to revive the forest area damaged by wildfires and develop it into a community carbon credit source. On August 18, 2026, at the Ban Pang Khi Lek community forest area in Thung Pi Subdistrict, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province, Sivakorn Buapong, Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, presided over the opening ceremony of a "forest planting activity to restore forest areas affected by wildfires under the fiscal year 2026 program to address wildfire, haze, and fine particulate dust problems."

The event was attended by the Mae Wang District Officer, heads of government agencies, representatives from the Chiang Mai Natural Resources and Environment Office, the Chiang Mai Forest Resource Management Bureau Region 1, the Conservation Area Management Office Region 16, the Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, the Thung Pi Subdistrict Administrative Organization, as well as community leaders and local residents.

The Deputy Governor noted that Chiang Mai has continuously faced problems with wildfires, haze, and PM2.5 fine particulate dust. Between January 1 and May 31, 2026, heat accumulation hotspots were detected predominantly in forest areas, affecting forest resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, water sources, and air quality and public health. To address this, Chiang Mai Province launched the wildfire, haze, and fine dust mitigation support program to accelerate restoration of damaged forest areas.

The activity involved planting a total of 1,000 trees. The Ban Pang Khi Lek community forest area is a key target for developing community forests as a carbon credit source, promoting forest conservation and restoration while enhancing the capacity to absorb and sequester greenhouse gases, creating long-term sustainable benefits and income for the community.

On August 18, Somchai Morkatsrivun, director of the Department of Employment, revealed that approximately 80 job seekers reported being defrauded by a company offering overseas employment counseling, training, and skills testing. The company falsely promised to place workers in fruit-picking, packaging, and food-processing roles in Canada and Finland under two-year contracts with salaries of up to 70,000 baht monthly. Each victim paid processing fees of 65,000–85,000 baht, but the placements never materialized, resulting in estimated total losses of 20 million baht.

The Department of Employment is coordinating with the Anti-Human Trafficking Division to investigate the case and support victims. Officials will pursue legal action against those responsible for the fraud. Somchai emphasized the department's commitment to investigating thoroughly and assisting victims fully while taking legal action against all involved parties to prevent further deception.

Somchai warned that scammers use various methods to appear credible, including advertising high-paying positions, posing as legitimate companies, and collecting fees in advance. He urged the public to verify job placement companies through the Department of Employment's central registry at doe.go.th/ipd before transferring any money. He also encouraged prospective overseas workers to use only five legal methods: licensed employment agencies, the Department of Employment, independent travel, Thai employers sending workers, or Thai employers sending workers for training. Those in distress can seek advice at the central employment registry (02 2484792 or 02 2456763), provincial employment offices, Bangkok employment offices, or the Department of Employment hotline at 1506 extension 2.

Buriram United, Ratchaburi FC, and Port FC will each face Japanese J-League clubs in five matches during the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite. On August 18, the Asian Football Confederation held the group-stage draw for the competition, with all three Thai League representatives competing. The draw showed that Thai clubs will play against J-League teams in five of their eight league-stage matches.

Buriram United will play home matches against Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Beijing FC, and Kyoto Sanga, with away matches against Shanghai Port, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Kashiwa Reysol, and Gamba Osaka.

Ratchaburi will play home matches against Shanghai Port, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Kashiwa Reysol, and Gamba Osaka, with away matches against Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Beijing FC, and Kyoto Sanga.

Port FC will play home matches against Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Beijing FC, and Kyoto Sanga, with away matches against Shanghai Port, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Kashiwa Reysol, and Gamba Osaka.

DHL Express, the global leader in international express shipping, has announced a new direct flight route between Shanghai and Bangkok to boost cargo capacity on trade routes between China and the rapidly growing Indochinese region. The new route covers Shanghai–Bangkok–Bahrain–Brussels–Shanghai and will strengthen connections between manufacturing hubs, raw material suppliers, and consumer markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The service will operate with DHL's Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, which can carry a maximum payload of 50 tons, reflecting the company's commitment to expanding network capacity and infrastructure to support high-growth markets. The move also demonstrates DHL Express's responsiveness to evolving trade patterns and its ability to adapt quickly to changing business conditions.

Bangkok serves as a critical gateway to the Indochinese region, while Bahrain and Brussels are DHL Express's major transport hubs. The Shanghai-Bangkok route enables DHL Express to efficiently collect and manage shipments from China and Southeast Asia before connecting them to destinations across Europe and the Middle East.

Paricha Pramukhgul, Managing Director of DHL Express Thailand and Indochinese Region Head, said: "As Southeast Asia becomes a global trade and manufacturing center, we see clear industry trends of businesses relocating manufacturing bases to Thailand and the Indochinese region. Our top priority in supporting this growth is ensuring businesses can rapidly access raw materials, components, and finished goods while operating efficiently. This direct Shanghai-Bangkok flight will strengthen cross-border supply chain infrastructure in the region, providing speed and reliability for confident business expansion and bringing Thai-made products to global markets."

Kieran O'Neill, General Manager of the Bangkok Hub, stated: "Introducing the Boeing 767 cargo aircraft with a maximum payload of 50 tons to our facility significantly enhances our ability to collect, sort, and route cargo between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Our infrastructure is fully prepared to handle increased cargo volumes, reinforcing Bangkok Hub's role as the region's trade engine and enabling Thai and Indochinese businesses to achieve faster and more precise shipping times for competitive advantage in global markets."

The service launches as manufacturers and traders in markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos increasingly source raw materials from China as part of multi-country production chains. With trade between China and Southeast Asia intensifying, DHL Express is committed to developing faster, more flexible and resilient shipping networks.

A 36-year-old man suffering from depression used a rented firearm to cause a tragic incident at the Bang Bua Thong shooting range on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, at 11:30 a.m. on August 18, 2026. At 1:30 p.m. the same day, Deputy Interior Minister Jedsetsart Thaisetsart and Abhichai Arkamsr, vice governor of Nonthaburi, visited the facility to inspect safety procedures and investigate the incident. Jedsetsart revealed that upon inspection, the range's permits and firearms were found to be in full compliance with regulations. However, he announced that a temporary 30-day closure has been ordered, after which stricter inspections will follow.

The deputy minister noted that currently no law exists to screen individuals entering the facility—the man simply presented an ID, filled out a form, paid a fee, and was allowed to use the range. He had rented ammunition in one box and spent considerable time at the facility. When attempting to remove the firearm, he fired at a range officer, who was forced to flee. The suspect then took the weapon outside and shot himself fatally.

While initial reports indicated the man suffered from depression and heard voices in his head, police found no medical records of treatment, though relatives confirmed he had psychiatric issues. The victim's family expressed dissatisfaction with the circumstances, pointing out that without entry screening regulations, people with serious mental health conditions cannot be prevented from using the facility. The interior ministry plans to issue a royal decree within 60 days establishing regulations for both state and private shooting ranges, including screening procedures, operational rules, and supervision protocols. The measure aims to ensure public safety from firearms and address illegal weapons trafficking.

Parliament Speaker Praised After X-Ray Security Check. On August 18, 2025, reporters at parliament building documented Parliament Police officers conducting strict inspections and X-ray scanning of belongings at building entrances following a security meeting to strengthen weapon screening procedures and prevent prohibited items or weapons from entering secure areas.

Footage captured Parliament Speaker Sopon Saraum passing through the security checkpoint. Although he is the highest leader of the legislative branch, Parliament Police staff maintained strict and impartial procedures, requesting his cooperation to follow security steps just as they would for any member of parliament, officials, or members of the public, with no exceptions or special passage allowed without screening.

After passing through the X-ray screening process, Sopon gave a thumbs-up endorsement of Parliament Police officers' firm commitment to impartial security measures, stating that parliament is a sacred place and must be a 100% safe zone for everyone who works there.