On August 20, at Wat Yang Royal Temple, entertainment figures gathered to sprinkle water and listen to the chanting of Buddhist scriptures on the first night of funeral rites for Ray McDonald, also known as Re McDonald, an actor and presenter who died suddenly. An autopsy determined that three of his coronary arteries were severely blocked, cutting off blood flow to his heart. He died at his home in the Pathanatakarn area of Bangkok on August 19, bringing deep sorrow to his family and friends.

Ray McDonald was a Thai-Scottish actor and presenter who became a beloved teen idol in the 1990s. He won the Suparnnong Award for Best Actor two years running for the films Crazy Karaoke Dream and Love Is Not Designed before becoming a travel content creator and founder of the YouTube channel Rayron: Wandering. He is credited as an inspiration to many travel influencers.

At 4:30 p.m., the family held a water-sprinkling ceremony attended by close family and friends who shared final goodbyes before the casket was closed. Evening prayers and merit-making were then held.

At 6:30 p.m., the first night of Buddhist chanting began, with numerous entertainment industry colleagues arriving to pay their respects, including Chakrit Yhaemnam, Leo Puth, Glerb Kitti, Peat Thong Jeuae, Pele Christopher, Tuck Boribourn, Poori Hiranyaprueksa, Pingpong Sakaewun, Ball Athip, Ananda Everingham, Nat Nicha, Tao Somchai, Ack Akarat, On Sriwan, Ae Anant, Tata Young, Lydia Saranrat, Matthew Dean, Boy Pisanu, Maji Anoma, Dai Diana, and Jib Cheernyim, among others.

The National Health Security Office is accelerating support for kidney patients facing the flooding crisis in Nan province, emphasizing that patients must not skip dialysis treatment and arranging alternative service units and dialysis fluids to evacuation centers. On August 20, Deputy Secretary-General Arthporn Limpanjaileash, speaking as the office's spokesperson, said heavy rains and flash floods in Nan have disrupted transportation and health services for residents, raising particular concern for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease who require regular dialysis treatment.

The office has coordinated with the Public Health Ministry, local hospitals, and the Kidney Foundation of Thailand to ensure patients can continue receiving dialysis even if unable to reach their usual facilities. Patients are urged not to stop treatment; if they face travel difficulties, they should immediately contact their coverage provider for help locating an alternative service unit.

Patients with all insurance schemes—gold card, social security, and civil servant coverage—retain full rights to continuous treatment, including artificial kidney dialysis and dialysis fluids at no cost. Gold card users can call the office's 24-hour hotline 1330; social security and civil servant patients should contact their designated hospitals or administrative offices. Patients requiring dialysate solution should alert evacuation center staff so the office can arrange delivery via courier. Those needing assistance can call hotline 1330 with their name, insurance type, specific needs, and next appointment date.

On 20 August 2026, six soldiers from the 36th Mobile Development Unit under the Armed Forces Development Command's Region 3 Development Office were deployed with an emergency disaster relief team and a patrol vehicle to assist people affected by flash floods and a mudslide in Sop Moei district, Mae Hong Son province.

The team worked with Mae Katuan Subdistrict Administrative Organization to search for and rescue residents after days of heavy rain triggered flash floods and caused soil to slide and collapse.

The mudslide swept into a residential property in Ban Khon Phueng, Village No. 5, Mae Katuan subdistrict, Sop Moei district, burying the house under mud and debris. Initial checks found five people injured in the incident. Rescue officials immediately provided first aid to the injured before evacuating them to Sop Moei Hospital for further medical treatment.

Thailand and Taiwan launched a joint operation targeting a transnational call-center scam network allegedly run by a Taiwanese mafia group, arresting more than 20 Taiwanese suspects in Cambodia and uncovering losses of more than 200 million New Taiwan dollars. The operation was led by the Anti-Online Scam Center under the direction of Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, deputy national police chief and director of the center, and Pol Lt Gen Jiraphop Phuridet, assistant national police chief and deputy director. The Central Investigation Bureau, headed by Pol Lt Gen Natsak Chaochanasai, also joined forces with Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau in the crackdown.

The case began after Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau investigated a Taiwanese transnational call-center network operating from Cambodia. The group allegedly posed as police officers and called victims to deceive them. At least 46 victims have been identified, with total losses exceeding 200 million New Taiwan dollars, equivalent to several hundred million baht.

Investigators found that the network recruited Taiwanese nationals through online job advertisements, claiming to offer well-paid Chinese-language typing jobs with accommodation and meals provided. More than 100 Taiwanese nationals were allegedly lured to Cambodia to work as call-center operators. The network also allegedly worked with Thai travel companies to disguise members' travel arrangements and evade scrutiny by authorities. Fake travel documents, return flight tickets and accommodation bookings were prepared, while Thai credit cards were used to pay for airline tickets to make the gang members' movements less suspicious.

Following the investigation, Thai authorities and the Central Investigation Bureau coordinated intelligence with Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau and tracked down 20 suspects. Those arrested allegedly included the financial backers of the operation, operational leaders and a Taiwanese travel company owner who arranged travel for call-center gang members. Authorities also seized key evidence, including cash, digital assets, bank accounts, ATM cards, electronic devices and vehicles. The evidence will be used in legal proceedings on charges of public fraud and money laundering.

Thai police said they would continue investigating and expanding the case against anyone in Thailand who was involved in the criminal network.

The Department of Disease Control has announced that COVID-19 cases continue to appear regularly and urges the public to prioritize personal hygiene, especially those showing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, or fatigue. Anyone with symptoms or a confirmed infection should isolate at home, avoid close contact with others, and refrain from attending school or work while ill.

If necessary to leave home, people should wear masks, wash hands frequently, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas, and stay away from elderly people, those with chronic conditions, or immunocompromised individuals. Rest not only aids recovery but also reduces transmission to others.

Direk Khampan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, noted that although COVID-19 is now treatable, severe illness remains possible, particularly in high-risk groups including the elderly, people with chronic diseases, those with weakened immunity, and pregnant women. These individuals should monitor their symptoms carefully, isolate immediately if ill, undergo rapid screening, and follow medical advice strictly to reduce the risk of serious complications.

The Department recommends the public maintain good hygiene by washing hands regularly, avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and staying home to rest if symptomatic. Those with illness should limit close contact with others and wear masks at all times, especially around vulnerable groups. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms or concerns should see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment. For questions, the public can call the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced on August 20, 2026, that a resort owner has become the sixth capitalist to face legal enforcement in Thab Larn National Park after voluntarily agreeing to demolish illegal structures. The owner submitted a formal request to Thab Larn National Park officials to remove 12 structures: six residential buildings, two worker houses, one storage room, one restroom unit, four pavilions, and two water tanks.

Task force leader Tewin Meisap and Thab Larn National Park Chief Prawatsart Chantheap reported that demolition work is approximately 70 percent complete, with heavy machinery now on site. The entire removal is expected to finish within 10 days, well before the end of August 2026.

This enforcement operation follows Minister Suchat's policy to transparently and fairly resolve land-use disputes in Thab Larn National Park in line with cabinet resolutions from November 22, 2022, March 14, 2023, and the National Parks Committee resolution of June 15, 2026. The process distinguishes between legitimate residents who occupied land before and after the park's boundaries were established, and those illegally encroaching for profit, while allowing affected parties to present evidence and prove their land rights under the rule of law and individual circumstances.