BANGKOK: Two more people have succumbed to injuries suffered in a fire at a Bangkok beer hall last month, bringing the death toll to 41, authorities said yesterday (Aug 18).
BANGKOK: Two more people have succumbed to injuries suffered in a fire at a Bangkok beer hall last month, bringing the death toll to 41, authorities said yesterday (Aug 18).
Heavy rainfall breached the Na Lao irrigation dam in Nan Province's Santisuk District on August 19, flooding homes and farmland while authorities evacuate riverside residents to higher ground.
On August 19, Nan Province officials reported severe flooding in Santisuk District following heavy downpours. The Na Lao irrigation dam sustained damage when one wall was breached by powerful currents, also damaging the adjacent road. Authorities have issued warnings for residents to prepare for incoming water.
Heavy and continuous rainfall has caused water levels in multiple streams to overflow their banks, flooding homes, agricultural areas, and some roads, particularly near Ban Pang Chang in Phong Subdistrict. District officials, village heads, local government organizations, disaster prevention staff, and police have surveyed the affected areas and warned riverside residents to move belongings to higher ground and prepare to evacuate to safe areas if conditions worsen. All local authorities have been instructed to remain on alert 24 hours a day.
As of 6 a.m., heavy rain continued, with multiple waterways overflowing and flooding homes and farmland. The Phu Yaeng–Kiew Muang route leading to Muang Nan District was completely submerged, making it impassable. Rescue teams deployed boats to help residents trapped near Ban Si Bun Ruang in Phong Subdistrict, though operations were hampered by strong currents. Additional residents were stranded at Mwab Bridge in Ban Namsoong, Doo Phong Subdistrict; rescue operations were delayed initially due to dangerous currents but were eventually completed safely once water levels dropped.
Thailand is launching four strategies to capture a share of the 6.7 trillion-dollar global wellness market by positioning its herbal and natural products as scientifically validated health solutions. The country's herbal retail trade reache
Thailand's Office of Trade and Economic Strategy is launching four plans to position Thai agricultural products in the booming global wellness and longevity market, projected to reach 6.7 trillion US dollars by 2040. The office director Nanthapon Jiralertpongse revealed that modern consumers are willing to pay significantly more for health-focused products backed by scientific evidence, rather than waiting until they fall ill. Thai herbal and natural products remain highly sought globally, with the country ranking 11th in herbal retail trade worth 1.36 billion US dollars in 2024, up 5.2% from the previous year and expected to reach 1.84 billion dollars by 2030.
The four urgent strategies include: first, elevating agricultural extracts to medical-grade standards through clinical validation, using champion Thai herbs like Centella asiatica for skin healing and turmeric for deep anti-inflammatory effects; second, integrating extracts into daily consumer products and personalized nutrition, particularly for users of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs; and third and fourth measures aimed at expanding market reach and building international credibility. Over 50% of fast-moving consumer goods sold online in 2024 emphasize health benefits, with consumers willing to pay at least 20% more for scientifically proven results.
Kanchanaburi FC was relegated to Thai League 2 after a disappointing first season despite big spending and star signings, but the club is rebuilding aggressively under South Korean coach Park Hang-seo with 14 new recruits and promotion as i
Looking back, if you search for a Thai football club that captured headlines over the past year, Kanchanaburi FC invariably comes to mind first. Club chairman Dr. Prawat Kitthammakul made a bold declaration that the team would finish top-3 in the Thai League, despite having just arrived on the top flight for the first time in the club's history. This rightfully shone a spotlight on the western province's football ambitions, especially with massive spending and the signing of Andros Townsend, a former Premier League star. But football can be brutal. As an inexperienced newcomer to the Thai League, despite unlimited budgets to recruit players, their top-3 target proved far too distant. Ultimately, they fell short even of a close call. They became the first team to be relegated to Thai League 2 that season, with dismal results (winning only 4 of 30 games). Back to square one. Although forced to restart in Thai League 2, the "Iron Horse" refuses to give up. While other clubs relaxed during the off-season, Kanchanaburi pushed forward with a major squad overhaul from day one. The recruitment of South Korean head coach Park Hang-seo, who made history in Vietnamese football, gave the team the freedom to fully restructure, from scouting players to unlimited budgets. The result: only 10 of the original squad remained, with at least 14 new signings, including John Bajjo, Apisit Soradat, Thirawut Sawaltsorn, Aphichat Denmman, and Nantawat Suankaew. These may not be "superstar" signings that generate headlines like before, but rather a "scratching where it itches" approach, prioritizing balance and chemistry with Park Hang-seo's system. The clear goal: promotion back to Thai League 1. Football in rural heartland. Another factor that contradicts Kanchanaburi's on-field performance is its fans. Although their form has been poor enough to want to turn away, statistics never lie. Last season, the club averaged 5,094 supporters per match—the fifth-highest attendance in the league for a province that is not a major metropolitan area. This is because the people of Kanchanaburi stand by their hometown club, regardless of its status. Digging deeper into grassroots football, you find that the local population is genuinely football-mad. Beyond Kanchanaburi FC, the province also has professional futsal clubs like Thai Army and Kanchanaburi Futsal. Another crucial factor the province has not overlooked is providing a football platform where youth can flourish. Kanchanaburi FC, besides playing professional football, also fields a youth team competing in the U-21 league (PEA Youngster League). Meanwhile, the provincial government continues to support football actively, with the Provincial Sports Association organizing annual competitions in futsal, football, and other sports, including the "Futsal Honouring the Queen" tournament, which attracts many teams. Several schools are also competing to develop and scout talented young players to elevate their institutional football teams, from Kanchanaburi Provincial Administration School 1 (Ban Kao Witthaya) to the latest example of Wisuttirungsee School, which just introduced "Gob" Suchao Nuchnoom, a former Thai national team midfielder and native of Kanchanaburi, as well as founder of the Kob Suchao Academy (KSA), to serve as head coach to develop the school's football team.
Thailand and Australia boosted bilateral trade 39% to 448.77 billion baht through January-July 2025, while their coordinated customs efforts seized over 1,200kg of drugs using intelligence-sharing and K-9 units.
On August 18, 2025, in Sydney, Thailand's Customs Department Director Panthong Lorkunnant unveiled deepened customs cooperation between Thailand and Australia focused on two key areas: trade facilitation and cross-border crime suppression. Both countries employ a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for certified operators at the Authorized Economic Operator standard, known as Trusted Traders, a globally recognized certification system that reduces redundant inspections, speeds up cargo clearance, and cuts transportation time and costs while maintaining supply chain security.
On the enforcement side, Thai customs coordinates with Australia's Border Force (ABF) to intercept smuggled narcotics, particularly heroin, and contraband cigarettes with high profit margins. They employ deep intelligence sharing and risk management analysis to target specific flights and vessels rather than conduct random inspections, minimizing disruption to shipping schedules. A K-9 unit program supported by Australia, including trained dogs and handler training, has been instrumental in seizing over 1,200 kilograms of drugs in the first ten months of this fiscal year.
Bilateral trade between Thailand and Australia from January to July 2025 totaled 448.77 billion baht, up 39.05% year-on-year, with Thailand running a trade surplus of 140.29 billion baht. Exports reached 294.53 billion baht (up 35.48%) and imports 154.24 billion baht (up 46.41%). Gold exports surged to 64.11 billion baht as Thailand ships 96.5% purity gold to Australia for refining into 99.99% LBMA standard bars for investment, masking underlying industrial export growth of only 3.0%, as car exports declined while pickup trucks and air conditioners remained stable.
With New Zealand, roughly 8.4 times smaller than Australia, Thailand maintained a surplus of 14.37 billion baht on total trade of 53.62 billion baht, bringing the combined two-market surplus to 154.65 billion baht.
A fire swept through a wooden residential community in Bangkok's Din Daeng district early Wednesday, destroying four to five houses and forcing residents to evacuate; firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 30 minutes with no
Bangkok — A fierce fire tore through a wooden residential community in Bangkok's Din Daeng district early Wednesday, destroying four to five houses and forcing residents to flee in panic.
At 01:53, the 199 emergency hotline received a report of a house fire in Soi Ratchadaphisek 7, Yaek 15-4-1, along Ratchadaphisek Road in Din Daeng district.
Firefighters from Huai Khwang Fire and Rescue Station, along with rescue workers and volunteers from Ruam Katanyu Foundation, rushed to the scene. The area is a densely packed community of adjoining two-storey wooden houses. On arrival, officials found flames raging through the structures, while nearby residents scrambled to escape.
Fire engines faced difficulties reaching the blaze because the alley was narrow. Firefighters and rescue volunteers had to carry firefighting equipment into the area before spraying water to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading. The fire was brought under control after about 30 minutes.
A preliminary inspection found that four to five houses had been completely destroyed by the fire. No injuries or deaths were reported. Police are investigating to determine the cause of the blaze.
Nan City issued its first flood alert after heavy rain exceeding 200mm triggered flash flooding in northern districts, with authorities urging at-risk communities to move belongings to higher ground and prepare for possible evacuation.
Nan City Municipality issued its first disaster alert at 7:00 AM on August 19, 2569 following heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimeters across several areas of Nan province, particularly in Pua, Santi Suk, and Mae Chrim districts since midnight. The intense downpour has caused flash flooding in the northern region, with water levels rising in the Yong River (East) and Wa River.
The municipality is urging at-risk communities, especially those that experienced flooding in 2006 and 2024, to move household items to higher ground, relocate vehicles to safe locations, and prepare vulnerable residents for evacuation to secure areas. Those who choose to shelter at home should prepare food, drinking water, medications, and other essentials, as well as lighting equipment, cooking supplies, and communication devices to sustain life for at least three days. Power outages may occur in some areas during the crisis.
Thailand's government is allocating 40 million baht to purchase surplus mature coconuts and stabilize prices for farmers across eight major coconut-producing provinces through October 2025.
The Department of Internal Trade is moving forward with a mature coconut absorption program for 2025, allocating funds for provincial commerce offices to work with agricultural committees in accelerating purchases of mature coconuts to clear surplus stocks and assist farmers affected by falling prices. The department has notified provinces of the budget allocation and is calling on provincial commerce offices and agricultural committees to expedite the purchasing process, distribute collection points across affected areas, and deliver fair assistance to farmers. Prachuap Khiri Khan province is expected to meet first to approve the project on August 20, 2025, followed by other provinces, with the Department of Internal Trade providing close supervision to ensure purchases meet volume targets and match local production conditions.
The program has been approved to use funds from the agricultural support revolving fund totaling 46.6075 million baht to expand market channels, connect buyers and sellers, reduce surplus mature coconut inventories, stabilize prices, and increase farmer income through both direct market sales and processing surplus coconuts into dried coconut meat. Large mature coconuts will receive management support not exceeding 4 baht per fruit, with a combined target price of 10 baht per fruit for large coconuts, aiming to absorb 10 million fruits using 40 million baht to accelerate market entry and boost farmer incomes.
Mature coconuts that have deteriorated over time or lack suitable quality for direct sale will be processed into dried coconut meat to reduce losses and return production to commerce. The department will provide processing support not exceeding 5 baht per kilogram of dried coconut meat under a target price of 20 baht per kilogram, with a goal of 500 tons using 2.5 million baht. The program covers eight major coconut-producing provinces—Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Samut Songkhram, Narathiwat, Pattani, and Chachoengsao—which together produce approximately 92 percent of Thailand's coconuts. Eligible farmers are registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension and have production in program areas. The purchasing period runs from approval through October 31, 2025, with the program period from August 13 through December 31, 2025. The Department of Internal Trade will closely monitor implementation to ensure equitable, widespread purchasing within program volume limits.
Torrential rains flood Nan Province's Pua District, submerging homes and cutting off major highways, with authorities warning of more heavy rainfall through August 21 that could worsen conditions.
Nan Province faces a critical flooding crisis as continuous heavy rainfall triggers flashfloods and sudden flooding across multiple areas, particularly Pua District. Water levels from the Pua and Khwang rivers have risen rapidly, inundating homes and communities in Ban Rong subdistrict and surrounding areas, with water levels reaching nearly the first floor of some houses and causing severe hardship to residents.
In Ban Kaem, Moo 4, Soi 2, Pua District, residents are calling for emergency assistance, including a family with a six-month-old infant trapped in the flooded area. The floods have also severely disrupted transportation, with Highway 101 (Pua-Chiang Klang) completely impassable to all vehicles and Highway 1256 (Pua-Bo Kluea) suffering bridge damage and washouts. Schools in affected areas have announced closures for student and staff safety, including Pa Laew Luang Wittaya, Du Phong, Ban Sri Bun Rueang, Ban Pong Kham, and Ban Pang Chang schools.
The Thai Meteorological Department warns that northern Thailand faces heavy to very heavy rainfall from August 18-21, 2025, which could trigger flash flooding, flashfloods, and landslides, especially in foothill areas, near waterways, and low-lying zones. Government agencies, local administration, and rescue units are actively monitoring the situation and providing assistance, with special priority for children, the elderly, patients, and people in high-risk areas. Residents in vulnerable zones are urged to move valuable items and electronics to higher ground, prepare for possible evacuation, and avoid traveling through flooded routes, damaged bridges, or areas with strong water currents.
Gold prices dropped 400 baht per baht weight on August 19, with ornamental gold falling to 69,150 baht, though traders predict a sharp rebound could push prices toward 80,000 baht soon.
Gold prices fell sharply on August 19, 2026, according to the Thai Gold Traders Association. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) was selling at 69,150 baht per baht weight, down 400 baht from the previous day's close. Gold bars were trading at 68,150 baht per baht weight for purchase and 68,350 baht per baht weight for sale, while world gold spot prices stood at 4,357 US dollars per ounce. Industry leaders predicted gold prices could surge by 1,000 to 2,000 baht per baht weight in the coming session, potentially breaking through the 80,000 baht barrier.
Thailand's National Statistical Office released 2568 census data for the northern region at an event in Chiang Mai, revealing significant demographic shifts including an aging population that will require enhanced government welfare and hea
Akpong Hrimcharoen, director of the National Statistical Office, opened the announcement of the 2568 Population and Housing Census results for the northern region under the theme Thailand Digital Census for All: Overcoming Challenges to New Opportunities. The event, held at The Empress Hotel in Chiang Mai, was attended by government officials, academics, and representatives from public and private organizations across the north.
The census announcement aims to disseminate 2568 population and housing data and build understanding of demographic and housing conditions among government agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society organizations. The data will support evidence-based policymaking, development planning, and resource allocation to drive sustainable national development.
Akpong Hrimcharoen stated that the National Statistical Office places high importance on releasing results from the 2568 census, Thailand's 12th population census and 6th housing census. The regional announcement serves to convey critical demographic and housing information to all stakeholders in the north, ensuring they receive accurate, complete, and timely data that reflects changes in Thai society. The office aims to promote the use of statistical data in policy formulation, development planning, and public service delivery tailored to community needs.
The director added that regional-level events reflect the office's commitment to raising awareness and expanding the application of census data across all sectors to support evidence-based decision-making, ultimately improving quality of life, reducing inequality, and achieving sustainable development. Additional census announcements will be held in the northeast at Khon Kaen and in the south at Nakhon Si Thammarat. The concluding national census announcement and statistical conference, featuring comprehensive results for all of Thailand, will bring together over 400 statisticians and experts at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Shiva Thamikananth, deputy governor of Chiang Mai Province, noted that the 2568 census clearly reveals significant changes in the northern region, particularly the transition to an aging society. Many northern provinces have Thailand's highest proportions of elderly residents, signaling the need for government preparation in welfare, healthcare, and long-term quality of life services. The data reflects real conditions in many areas, including elderly populations living in isolation.