The Anuthins administration's appointment of senior civil servants is drawing scrutiny because many key positions go to officials with 5-10 years of remaining service. This means these appointees could outlast the government that appointed them.

The recent case of Piyapong Jiwatanakulpaisarn, director-general of the Department of Highways, nominated as Permanent Secretary of Transport, exemplifies this. At 50, he has nearly 10 years of service left, meaning he could serve multiple administrations.

Similarly, Rapipath Chanthasriworachai, approved as Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has about 7 years remaining, as does Piyasiri Wattanawarangkul, Permanent Secretary of Justice, who will retire in 2576.

When Anutin was Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister in 2567, he pushed to promote Arthit Samphantharat as Interior Permanent Secretary at just 53 years old.

While appointing officials with years remaining is not inherently wrong if they have knowledge, ability, and experience and undergo transparent selection processes prioritizing national interest, the government must explain its reasoning to the public. Selecting younger officials offers benefits, including long-term continuity and the ability to develop long-term strategies and solve problems without requiring reshuffles every time political leadership changes.

However, if these appointments are perceived as placing government loyalists in strategic state machinery positions for extended periods, the civil service's political neutrality could be questioned.

Every government has the right to nominate senior administrators it deems suitable, particularly during annual appointments and transfers. Whether appointees have one year or five to ten years of service remaining is immaterial.

The real issue is whether the government can explain its rationale. If selections are based on knowledge and ability, the country and people benefit. But if choices reflect political connections, society has the right to question whether the government is building a management team for continuity or orchestrating a long-term network to benefit the government itself.

Most importantly, all appointed civil servants at every level must serve the country and people with full commitment, proving they are genuinely qualified for their positions rather than advancing through connections or serving as political tools.

On August 17, officers from the Highway Traffic Police Division 3 arrested Suphakorn (surname withheld), age 51, along with a white BMW X1 bearing forged license plate number 8gj 9XXX Bangkok. Police apprehended him on Highway 344 between kilometers 23–24 in the inbound direction toward Bangkok, in Nong Chak subdistrict, Ban Bueng district, Chon Buri province.

The arrest followed a complaint from an innocent victim who received a traffic citation despite driving a different vehicle brand. Investigation revealed that plate number 8gj 9XXX Bangkok had been fitted to a different car. Officers traced the vehicle to the white BMW X1 and found it traveling on Highway 344 in the Ban Bueng area. Upon inspection, the vehicle's chassis number showed it was registered as BMW X1 with genuine plate 9gb 7XXX Bangkok—not matching the attached plate. When checked, plate 8gj 9XXX actually belonged to an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck owned by someone else. The attached plate showed irregularities inconsistent with Land Transport Department standards, confirming it was counterfeit. Officers also discovered a forged tax sticker matching the BMW.

During interrogation, Suphakorn stated he purchased the BMW for 300,000 baht through Facebook, with the seller claiming it was a repossessed vehicle. He admitted initial suspicions about the price and plates but continued using the car until police arrested him. He faces charges of possessing and using forged government documents. The case has been handed to Ban Bueng Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Thai Public Broadcasting Service (MCOT) has launched a tender for long-term leasing rights on a 50-rai plot in the Ratchada–Rama IX district valued at approximately 9 billion baht, with bidding documents available from July 10 to August 26, 2025. Speaking at the launch, MCOT acting chief executive Yada Kasayapananth said the broadcaster is restructuring its business under the MCOT Next strategy, focusing on asset monetization to generate cash flow for operations and investment in new media ventures. Several large real estate companies listed on the stock exchange have already purchased bid documents, though MCOT declined to reveal their identities at this stage.

The 50-rai site is among MCOT's core assets, appraised at approximately 400,000 baht per square wah and valued overall at over 9 billion baht. Rather than selling the land outright, MCOT will lease it long-term to preserve the asset while generating stable future revenue. The location is a major strength—situated in Bangkok's prime business and residential district near Ratchadamri Road, adjacent to the Thailand Cultural Centre and Ministry of Culture to the north, with connections to both the Orange and Blue BTS Skytrain lines. MCOT has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) to request use of BTS land for two 20-meter access points, plus additional access via an easement from the Ministry of Culture.

MCOT is inviting private developers to propose varied uses of the site without restricting to a single business type—options include large-scale projects, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, or mixed-use developments suited to the location. The surrounding area supports diverse user groups including office workers, residents, tourists, and cultural event attendees, creating strong demand potential for multiple development models.

Researchers have developed a bioengineered chewing gum that can eliminate three microorganisms linked to oral cancer, including HPV (Human Papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted infection. Laboratory tests showed the gum reduced HPV levels in saliva samples by up to 93%.

The research team is led by Henry Daniell, a professor at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The team aims to find antiviral proteins capable of targeting and destroying multiple virus types. Researchers discovered that hyacinth beans contain a protein called FRIL, which causes viruses to cluster together, preventing them from entering cells. The protein also inhibits viruses already inside cells and prevents further infection.

"We've identified at least five viruses in the mouth that we can inactivate," Daniell told The Post. He noted that the gum formula contains sufficient bean powder to effectively eliminate these viruses and has very low development costs. "That's probably the biggest advantage, because this product will have low production costs," he said.

The research team is currently awaiting FDA approval to proceed with the next phase of clinical trials, during which human participants will chew the gum directly. The trial will last four weeks, with participants chewing the gum three times daily. During this phase, the gum will be used as a complementary treatment alongside standard cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and surgery.

Daniell noted that in the future, this type of gum may be sold over-the-counter to the public without requiring a doctor's prescription.

Bangkok — 17 August 2026, Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has stepped up efforts to protect dugongs after 10 years of data showed 209 strandings, warning that the species faces an increasing risk of extinction.

DMCR Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi said the department had launched the "Save Our Dugong" campaign in line with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin's policy to conserve and restore marine and coastal resources, particularly rare and endangered marine animals.

The campaign focuses on reducing threats from human activities in 12 high-risk areas along Thailand's Andaman coast, with two urgent measures targeting boat accidents and fishing gear.

The first measure is to regulate shipping routes and boat speeds in six areas considered at risk of dugongs being struck by vessels: Ratsada Pier and Bang Rong Pier in Phuket; the Ko Yao Noi–Ko Yao Yai waterway in Phang Nga; Hat Noppharat Thara–Ao Nam Mao in Krabi; Pak Meng Pier–Ko Muk and Ko Libong Pier–Hat Yao in Trang.

Buoys and navigation markers will be installed to clearly define routes, while speed limits will be imposed according to distance from shore.

Boats will be limited to 5 knots within 1 kilometre of the coast, 10 knots within 2 kilometres and 20 knots within 3 kilometres. The speed limit will be 5 knots in seagrass areas and 3 knots in seagrass areas located within national parks.

The second measure involves modifying fishing gear to make it safer for dugongs in six high-risk areas: Ko Chang–Ko Phayam in Ranong; Ko Ra–Ko Phra Thong in Phang Nga; Pa Khlok–Tang Khen in Phuket; Hat Noppharat Thara in Krabi; Ko Siboya in Krabi; and Ko Muk–Ko Libong in Trang.

The measures aim to reduce the risk of dugongs becoming trapped or injured by fishing equipment.

For single crab traps, one trap per buoy will be allowed, but traps will be prohibited in seagrass beds. Buoy ropes will be replaced with 5-millimetre high-strength fibre rope to reduce the risk of entanglement and deep cuts to dugong muscles.

Weak links will also be modified at connection points to give dugongs a better chance of escaping if they become entangled. Excess rope will be shortened, particularly around the water surface and along areas commonly used by dugongs.

For linked crab traps, with 15–20 traps connected to one buoy, stones or lead weights will be used to keep the rope running vertically.

Bottom-set crab nets will be prohibited in seagrass beds. In areas where they are permitted, fishermen will be required to monitor the nets after deployment to reduce the risk of dugongs becoming trapped.

Large-mesh drifting fish nets, such as nets used to catch sea bass, will also be prohibited in seagrass beds and must be placed at least 1 kilometre away from the edge of seagrass areas.

"The department's goal is to reduce dugong deaths caused by human activities to zero," Pinsak said.

He stressed that the measures were not intended to restrict the livelihoods of fishermen or maritime communities.

Parit Awaits EC and DSI Clarification on Withaya's Election Fraud Response

On August 17, 2026, Parit Wacharasindhu, a People's Party list MP and spokesperson, posted through his social media account stating: Questions for the Election Commission and DSI following the statement by local leader Withaya Kampuang regarding senator election fraud allegations.

This morning many people saw the statement by local leader Withaya Kampuang in various media outlets regarding video evidence that I presented about an organized senator election fraud scheme.

The most significant part of his statement was Withaya's admission that he is the person in the video (an incident at the B2 Rangsit Hotel before the nationwide senator election), and his explanation of various statements from the clip that many people questioned, such as: – "It's unbelievable that we got the most senators" – "Our network is longer than this" – "We're doing this for those above" – "Don't be afraid because those above [...] – otherwise the EC would already announce it null and void" – "Military-affiliated senior figures also came in" (Those interested can hear Withaya's full statement via the link in comments)

Whether such an explanation is reasonable or convincing is for the public to judge themselves.

However, I see there are two other factual matters that Withaya denied but I still have doubts about:

1. What relationship does Withaya have with the Bhumjaithai Party? – Withaya stated in an interview that he has no special relationship or involvement with Bhumjaithai Party (though he appreciates the party's "half-per-person-plus" policy), and photos appearing with Bhumjaithai ministers such as Songsakdi Thongthri are merely him performing his duty as a local leader on area-based projects. – However, I discovered that Withaya wore a Bhumjaithai Party shirt and appeared at a press conference with Songsakdi Thongthri during the launch of Bhumjaithai Party parliamentary candidates for Nong Khai-Chaiyaphum-Sakon Nakhon on November 11, 2025 (which is believed to be at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters: https://bhumjaithai.com/news/110566)

2. Did Withaya pay for accommodation at the B2 Rangsit Hotel (2 booking numbers / total 7,520 baht)? – Withaya confirmed that he was not the person who booked or paid for such accommodation as alleged. – In fact, I never accused Withaya of being the person who "booked" the room, but the information I received indicates that the account used to "transfer money" to the hotel's account to "pay for accommodation" is registered under the name Withaya Kampuang. – Therefore, the main issue is not who booked, but who paid / or if Withaya insists he did not know he was the one who paid, is it possible that someone used Withaya's account to pay for the accommodation on his behalf?

Regardless, since Withaya has given such a statement, I believe it is now the responsibility of relevant state agencies who (presumably) have information in hand to come forward and provide clear clarification to resolve these doubts.

Toward the DSI, I urge the DSI to clearly explain:

1. Has the DSI ever investigated or examined the B2 Rangsit Hotel regarding who booked, stayed, or paid for accommodation during that period (June 25-26, 2023)?

2. If so: Can the DSI confirm whether accommodation payment at the B2 Rangsit Hotel was indeed transferred from an account registered under the name Withaya Kampuang?

Toward the Election Commission (most importantly), I urge the EC to clearly explain:

1. Are events involving local leader Withaya at the B2 Rangsit Hotel on June 25, 2023 included in the EC's investigation record or witness testimony to the EC (such as in the 26th investigation committee level)?

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