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.

Today, August 21, 2025, 62-year-old Chammani Noi-Chanthorn, known as Pah Dah, and fellow heirs including heritage manager Bua Khai traveled to the National Buddhism Office in Nakhon Pathom to request verification of documents and evidence regarding the proper establishment of Pah Adulyaram Temple in Muang Khon Kaen District, including whether it followed official Buddhist regulations and monastic law. Officials noted that the temple's name does not appear in the National Buddhism Office registry.

After meeting with representatives, Pah Dah expressed disappointment, saying the office could not confirm the temple's legal establishment or provide clarifying documentation, citing confidentiality. They were told to appeal to the Prime Minister's Office—despite prior statements from officials that records could be reviewed upon request.

"If today we had clear documents confirming the land was properly designated a temple, we would accept it. But we will continue pursuing the truth to the end," Pah Dah stated.

Heir Bua Rian Phimsri revealed that all heirs want verification of whether the temple was established lawfully, as 20 years of inquiries have yielded no clarity. She expressed frustration that answers from the National Buddhism Office have been disappointing and noted inconsistencies between official announcements and actual practice. She indicated the heirs may consult lawyers about filing an appeal to the Prime Minister's Office.

"Everyone knows successive temple committees have wanted that land because of its prime location," Bua Rian said. "It was announced in the Royal Gazette as properly belonging to the temple, but I still find it improper and remain uncertain. We heirs have never been informed of procedures—only secret documents. Why do things in secret?"

Bua Khai briefly stated that officials refused to show documents due to confidentiality, though she wanted to see them and know the truth. She said she felt resigned about legal action against her but was concerned her children were upset, so she told them not to worry—truth is truth.

The heirs' lawyer added that they came to verify the temple's establishment procedures and evidence, expecting official files and petitions but received only a document already in their possession—one without necessary value. The lawyer argued that the records the heirs requested should not be classified as confidential if the office provided clarification to relatives today the matter could be resolved.

British, Spanish diving instructors caught working illegally on Koh TaoLegacyNine foreign nationals were arrested in a crackdown on illegal work on Koh Tao, Surat Thani, yesterday, August 20, including six British and Spanish diving instructors allegedly working without permits. Surat Thani Immigration carried out the inspections with Koh Tao Police and other government agencies. The operation followed information found on social media and complaints from tourists. Photo via Khaosod At two diving businesses, officers found six foreign nationals allegedly working as diving instructors without work permits. They included British national Adam and five Spanish nationals identified as Xabier, Pablo, Paulina, Sandra and Nuria. All six held Destination Thailand Visas (DTVs) and were accused of taking paid work as diving instructors without work permits. Officials also took action against directors of the companies employing the instructors. They plan to examine financial transactions as part of an investigation into whether nominee arrangements were involved. Photo via Khaosod At a pharmacy, officers arrested Myanmar national Sa Chi Lin, who was allegedly selling modern medicines and collecting payments without a pharmacist supervising the shop. She was accused of working outside the scope of her permitted employment. Two other Myanmar nationals, Zin Zin Myo and Tin Tin Wai, were arrested at a beauty salon in the Sairee Beach area. Their documents allowed them to work as labourers, but officers found them providing nail and beauty services, which are occupations reserved for Thai nationals. Photo via Khaosod Khaosod reported that all nine suspects were transferred to Koh Tao Police Station for further legal proceedings. Surat Thani Immigration chief Police Colonel Naruwat Phutthawiro said 47 foreign nationals were arrested on the island between January 1 and August 19 for offences involving foreign employment and immigration laws, drugs and other criminal offences. Photo via Khaosod Related news

Foreign diving instructor rescued off Phuket Chon Buri arrests 16 foreign workers in illegal jobs crackdown Thai police arrest 58 foreign workers in illegal employment raid

The story British, Spanish diving instructors caught working illegally on Koh Tao as seen on Thaiger News.

Northeastern forces received 44 Thai nationals returning from Cambodia and handed over 35 Cambodian nationals whose legal cases had concluded, in a humanitarian exchange on the morning of August 21. The Northeastern Command, working with Sa Kaew provincial immigration officials, Aran Prathet customs checkpoint, the 12th Ranger Regiment control unit, and local security agencies, received the Thai nationals at the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge near the permanent Klong Luek border crossing in Aran Prathet District, Sa Kaew Province. All had been arrested and prosecuted in Cambodia until their cases were completed. Thailand simultaneously returned 35 Cambodian nationals who had been arrested and prosecuted in Thailand and completed their legal proceedings, following established procedures and cooperation guidelines. The exchange was conducted under humanitarian principles and Thai-Cambodian cooperation frameworks. Despite ongoing border checkpoint closures due to the security situation, both countries continue coordinating the return of individuals whose legal cases have been finalized to ensure proper procedures and humanitarian standards are upheld.

On August 21, 2025, the Pollution Control Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment released the findings of its 12th sediment quality monitoring survey in the Kok River, its tributaries, the Sai River, the Ruak River, and the Mekong River. Samples were collected between July 7-10, 2025, to track unusual turbidity in the Kok River in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. Testing was conducted at 21 locations across all rivers.

Kok River: Six locations exceeded safe sediment quality standards (10 mg/kg maximum) for terrestrial wildlife. The worst case was site KK01 at the Thai-Myanmar border with 23 mg/kg mercury. Site KK05 at the Mae Yao-Doi Hang Friendship Bridge recorded 11 mg/kg mercury and 0.21 mg/kg mercury, exceeding the 0.2 mg/kg safety standard. Other sites (KK07, KK10, KK11, KK12) ranged from 13 to 16 mg/kg. One location, KK09 near the Chiang Rai King's Memorial Bridge, reached severely hazardous levels with 45 mg/kg mercury, plus elevated nickel (26 mg/kg, standard 23), lead (46 mg/kg, standard 36), and chromium (66 mg/kg, standard 43.4).

Kok River tributaries: The Fang and Laao tributaries met standards. The Korn tributary recorded 38 mg/kg nickel, exceeding safe levels.

Sai River: Two locations exceeded safe mercury standards—site SA01 at Ban Hua Fai with 25 mg/kg and site SA03 at Ban Pa Sang Ngam with 13 mg/kg.

Ruak River: Both sampling points showed severely hazardous mercury levels. Site RU01 at the Koh Chang water pumping station recorded 49 mg/kg mercury, 0.24 mg/kg mercury (standard 0.2), and 45 mg/kg chromium. Site RU02 at Tambon Wiang near the river mouth recorded 55 mg/kg mercury, 46 mg/kg nickel, and 61 mg/kg chromium, all at severely hazardous levels.

Mekong River: All four sampling locations showed severely hazardous mercury concentrations. Site NK01 at the Golden Triangle border checkpoint recorded 66 mg/kg. Site NK02 in Wiang, Chiang Saen recorded 80 mg/kg. Site NK03 at Ban Sop Kok recorded 50 mg/kg mercury, 0.22 mg/kg mercury, and 45 mg/kg chromium. Site NK04 at Ban Hua Wiang recorded 68 mg/kg mercury.

On August 21, a prominent private investigator known as Boy released investigation findings of an alleged affair case in which the husband hired him to investigate his wife, who has a four-month-old child, for allegedly having an affair with a school principal. The investigator claimed to have identified a forest area near a crematorium at a temple in Buriram as a meeting location, which generated significant discussion on social media.

When reporters visited Nong Bot Temple in Ta Chang subdistrict, Lahansai district, Buriram province—the location shown in Boy's posts—local residents, temple committee members, and the school housekeeper all stated the allegations were false.

The incident allegedly occurred on August 19 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., when a black sedan with suspected fake license plates parked near the temple and someone photographed the forest area. Boy subsequently posted that he has evidence and will await legal proceedings.

When questioned, Serim (an assumed name), the woman's father, stated that his son-in-law works in Chonburi province while his daughter works in Buriram, and they have two children together. He denied knowing the full story and said the claim that his daughter frequently leaves home at night is untrue, as they live in the same house and he has observed no such behavior. Regarding his son-in-law hiring a private investigator, he questioned whether the money might have been better spent on supporting the children.

Dr. Nattanon Wittayaprakorn, director of Buriram Educational Service Area Office District 3, stated that the school is small with only an acting principal. After the story spread, the district office conducted inquiries but found no irregularities. He noted that on August 19, the acting principal was absent from school attending a seminar.

Regarding the matter as a whole, no investigation committee has been established because no formal complaint has been filed. However, if a complaint is lodged, the district office will ensure fairness to all parties, as the issue is sensitive.