Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jetsada Denfung Boripath from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science has addressed questions about whether a diagonal crease on the earlobe truly indicates heart disease risk. The crease is formally called Frank's Sign or diagonal earlobe crease (DELC), named after cardiologist Sanders T. Frank, who first observed it in 20 angina patients.

Multiple research studies have found a connection between DELC and cardiovascular disease risk, including coronary artery stenosis, peripheral artery disease, and atherosclerosis. Clinical experience shows the sign is frequently observed in cardiology patients, particularly those who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Hospital-based studies have confirmed the link between DELC and cardiovascular disease among hospitalized patients.

However, the connection remains debated. When reversed—examining asymptomatic individuals with DELC—it is unclear whether they face genuine risk of severe cardiovascular disease. Notably, the link does not appear clearly in diabetic populations, and some studies show the association lacks statistical significance.

The exact cause of DELC is unknown. Some reports suggest micro-vascular disease in the earlobe, while others point to shortened telomeres in Japanese metabolic syndrome patients as a mechanism of aging and atherosclerosis. DELC severity is now classified by length, depth, bilaterality, and angle: unilateral incomplete (least severe), unilateral complete (moderate), and bilateral complete (most severe). However, this classification does not necessarily correlate with increased cardiovascular events.

Interestingly, even notable public figures have been observed with DELC, including former U.S. President George W. Bush and filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

On August 21, Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanun Wongswat and his team waded through mudslides to survey damage and recovery efforts in the Silalaeng Subdistrict of Phayao Province. The official inspected homes in the community, beginning with the first house where floodwaters and thick mud had surged inside, destroying property. At a second home, mud surrounded the house causing severe damage, though the main living area remained safe.

At a third home belonging to elderly residents, mud had infiltrated the living quarters. When the deputy prime minister entered to pay respects, the elderly woman greeted him warmly, expressing joy that help had reached such a remote area. At a fourth house, the ground floor was completely destroyed and filled with debris and thick mud, forcing residents to move temporarily to the second floor. Multiple other homes in the area were similarly devastated by the floodwaters and mudslides.

The official then visited the home of teacher Nanan Kasernsri, a local school teacher whose house stood directly in the path of the flash flood. Nanan recounted a harrowing escape when the water suddenly changed direction and rushed toward her with tremendous force. She grabbed a wooden pillar to keep from being swept away until her father threw her a rope to pull her to safety. When warning systems failed and phone signals were cut off, Nanan used social media to call for help. This prompted six ranger personnel from the 32nd Ranger Unit to wade through the water and evacuate about 20 vulnerable people, including elderly residents and those with hearing and vision disabilities, to safety at Phamuead Temple.

Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanun praised Nanan's quick thinking and bravery, calling her and the ranger personnel "true heroes" for their life-saving efforts in the crisis. He announced immediate recovery measures, ordering heavy machinery to remove mud from the community and requesting the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to expand emergency funding to 100 million baht. The government will coordinate home repair assistance of approximately 88,000 baht per household through disaster prevention funds, supplemented by social development ministry contributions of about 49,000 baht each, to aid more than 33 severely damaged homes.

The deputy prime minister also surveyed the surrounding waterways and discussed long-term structural solutions, noting that the government is working with the Royal Irrigation Department to construct small to medium-sized dams and water retention basins in the upper areas of northern districts.

Prime Minister Anuthit Charnvirakul plans to inspect flood-hit Nan Province after returning from an official visit to Australia and New Zealand, then travel to Ubon Ratchathani to visit soldiers injured by landmines. On August 21, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek confirmed that the PM and Interior Minister are currently on an official mission to Australia and New Zealand to strengthen trade, investment, and bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the PM continues to monitor Thailand's flood situation closely, especially in Nan Province, and has directed agencies to accelerate relief efforts, with plans to visit the affected area immediately upon his return. The spokesperson said the PM will arrive back in Thailand on the evening of August 22 and will travel to Nan Province on the morning of August 23 to assess the flooding and relief operations, as well as listen to local needs to ensure rapid post-flood recovery and rehabilitation. That afternoon, the PM will then proceed to Ubon Ratchathani to visit and encourage members of a humanitarian demining unit who suffered severe injuries from stepping on a landmine while conducting operations in the Saddle Pass area of Nam Yuen District on August 17.

MONO Company Limited is advancing its shift toward a "Streaming First" strategy, aiming to elevate MONOMAX as Thailand's primary streaming platform while preserving television's role in reaching all Thais. The company has positioned MONOMAX Sports TV to function as a public service, ensuring equitable access to major sports content that Thais care about. Nawaminthon Prasopneter, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MONO, explained: "Moving toward Streaming First does not mean abandoning Thai television viewers. Instead, we want to balance both platforms to suit changing viewer behavior. For us, sports content that brings joy and pride to Thais should be accessible to everyone. We want MONOMAX Sports TV to serve as a true public service, just as we did with past World Cup broadcasts for free Thai viewership. The upcoming Premier League season will feature free matches every week, and when Thailand's women's volleyball team competes, Thais can cheer together. This is our core principle. Simultaneously, MONO will develop the MONOMAX streaming platform to deliver a more complete and higher-quality viewing experience. Free TV will serve content requiring broad reach, while streaming will offer a more diverse range of experiences and content. We believe advancing both platforms in tandem will allow MONO to balance 'access for all Thais' with 'the viewing experience of the future' perfectly."

MONO's shift to "Streaming First" restructures the roles of both platforms to work complementarily, with Free TV creating accessibility while MONOMAX delivers the future of viewing. The company will continue delivering major sports content for Thais to watch and cheer together. Starting in August, MONOMAX Sports TV will broadcast Premier League 2026/27 matches and the AVC Women's Continental Championship featuring Thailand's national team. Premier League matches include: Nottingham Forest versus Leeds United (Saturday, August 22, 21:00); Manchester City versus AFC Bournemouth (Sunday, August 23, 21:00); AFC Bournemouth versus Everton (Saturday, August 29, 21:00); and Chelsea versus Brighton & Hove Albion (Sunday, August 30, 21:00). Volleyball championship matches include: Thailand versus Australia (Friday, August 21, 13:00); Vietnam versus South Korea (Saturday, August 22, 09:00); Kazakhstan versus Australia (Sunday, August 23, 09:00); Thailand versus Indonesia (Monday, August 24, 14:00); Japan versus Vietnam (Tuesday, August 25, 17:30); and China versus Taiwan (Wednesday, August 26, 18:30).

On Friday, August 21, 2025, at 12:00 noon, Lom Sak Municipality reported water conditions in Lom Sak District with a red flag alert. The Phetchabun Province Irrigation Office provided the following water level readings: Station S33 at Lom Kao measured 5.26 meters (declining), Station S53 at Ban Wang Rong Bridge measured 5.28 meters (rising), and Station S3 at Lom Sak measured 7.43 meters (rising). The Phetchabun Province Irrigation Office instructed Lom Sak Municipality to raise the red flag as water levels entered the critical threshold. Residents living in low-lying areas along the Pasak River are advised to relocate their belongings to higher ground. The municipality will closely monitor water conditions and provide continuous updates to the public.

On 21 August, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a Cell Broadcast alert as the Moei River overflows its banks in Mae Sod and Mae Ramat districts, Tak province, with water levels continuing to rise and heavy rainfall ongoing in the area. Residents living along the river, particularly in Mae Pa, Mae Ku, Mahawan, Tha Sai Luat, Mae Tao, Mae Kasa, Nakhon Mae Sod, Phra That Pha Daeng (Mae Sod District), and Mae Ja Rao (Mae Ramat District), are instructed to immediately move belongings to higher ground, relocate vehicles, and evacuate vulnerable populations. Those requiring evacuation assistance should contact village heads and local administrative offices immediately. At 14:00, the Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict Municipality measured water levels beneath the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at 0.9 metres above the normal bank level, classified as alert status.