Coach Anurak Srigerd, a former Thailand national team midfielder, was shocked to learn of Ray McDonald's death and reflected that had McDonald chosen football over entertainment, he could have made Thailand's youth national team. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thappol Ampaipipattakul, commander of Prawet Police Station, confirmed that McDonald, a well-known entertainer and presenter, died on a sofa at his home on Pattanakarn 61 Road. His wife reported the death at 06:40 after security footage showed he collapsed at 00:12. The family indicated McDonald had no chronic illness, though officials are awaiting detailed autopsy results.

Beyond his entertainment career, McDonald, half Thai and half Scottish, was born in Roi Et province and played youth football for Thammasat Thai club alongside actor Chakarit Yamnam and Coach Anurak. Anurak recalled they trained together at the Thai Sports Authority field in Huamark, with McDonald about a year and a half younger. Coach Sumeth Kaewthiphyanet, who founded the team, brought McDonald and his equally talented older brother to the squad. Anurak noted that McDonald was a small but agile forward with distinctive flair, capable of playing any position. When Thammasat Thai entered the Thai League, McDonald had the opportunity to pursue entertainment—similar to fellow player Tao Somchai Kemklad—and chose that path, though with his football skills Anurak believed he could have made the national youth team.

Anurak also noted McDonald remained close to renowned footballer Sombun Inon and, according to Sombun's circle, never abandoned football after entering entertainment. McDonald sponsored youth football development in southern Thailand, leveraging his love of the sport to create opportunities for young players. Anurak learned of McDonald's death on the morning of August 19 from a rescue worker friend and initially doubted it, thinking McDonald was a fit, healthy athlete with no reported illness. He expressed condolences to McDonald's family.

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) has introduced seven assistance measures to help flood victims and residents affected by heavy rainfall and flash flooding in Nan Province and the upper northern region. Affected individuals can apply for these measures at GHB branches nationwide starting immediately.

Mahattana Ampornpisit, Managing Director of the Government Housing Bank, stated that the flooding has severely impacted homes, livelihoods, and businesses in the affected areas. As a state financial institution with the mission to provide housing for Thai people, the GHB has launched comprehensive relief and rehabilitation measures under the 2025 Disaster Victim Assistance Program.

Measure 1: For current customers, the GHB offers a one-year payment reduction and interest rate relief, including a three-month payment holiday with 0% interest for the first three months. From months 4-12, the interest rate drops to 2% annually, with monthly installments reduced by 50%. Customers seeking to repair or rebuild their homes can also access repair loans of up to 300,000 baht with repayment periods of up to five years. The first 100,000 baht carries a fixed 1% interest rate for three years, while the next 200,000 baht is charged at 1.99% annually, with no additional mortgage registration required.

Measure 2: For both existing and new customers, the GHB provides loans up to 2 million baht per collateral for home repairs or reconstruction. Interest rates are 0% for months 1-3 with no installment payments required, 2% annually for months 4-24, and declining rates in subsequent years tied to the GHB's Minimum Retail Rate (MRR, currently 6.145% annually). Loans of up to 40 years are available, with a 1 million baht loan requiring only 3,100 baht monthly. Assessment and mortgage registration fees are waived or capped at 1% of the loan amount.

Measure 3: For customers with non-performing loan (NPL) status whose collateral sustained damage, the GHB offers debt restructuring for up to 18 months with 0% interest for the first six months and no payment obligations. From months 7-18, interest is 1% annually with installments covering at least the monthly interest. After the restructuring period, customers return to their original interest rates.

Measure 4: For NPL customers experiencing income loss, the GHB provides debt restructuring for up to one year with 0% interest for the first six months. Monthly payments are reduced to 1,000 baht (applying entirely to principal reduction). From months 7-12, interest rises to 1% annually.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Company has announced a 1-baht increase across all boat types starting Friday, August 21, due to rising diesel prices at 37.59 baht per litre.

Navatri Chareonporn Chareontharam, managing director of Chao Phraya Express Boat Company Limited, which operates passenger boat services on the Chao Phraya River between Pak Kred and Wat Rajsingkhorn piers, stated that following a diesel price increase to 37.59 baht per litre on August 12, the company is raising all boat fares by 1 baht from their original rates, effective Friday, August 21.

Fare increases by boat type and route:

• Orange Flag: Nonthaburi–Wat Rajsingkhorn route, increased from 17 baht to 18 baht (all stops) • Yellow Flag: Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 22 baht to 23 baht (all stops) • Green-Yellow Flag: – Pak Kred–Nonthaburi route, increased from 15 baht to 16 baht – Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 22 baht to 23 baht – Pak Kred–Sathorn route, increased from 34 baht to 35 baht • Red Flag (air-conditioned): Nonthaburi–Sathorn route, increased from 31 baht to 32 baht

The company noted that if diesel prices decrease in the future, fares will be adjusted downward accordingly.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, speaking as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed the proposed cabinet reshuffle on August 19, saying the government should not be bound by a strict one-year timeline for personnel changes. He argued that all ministers are already under evaluation and accountable to the public, and that anyone failing to perform should be replaced on merit, not schedule.

Chaidchob emphasized that all ministers are working at full capacity and are being assessed continuously. He said any reshuffle decision rests with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. When asked if cabinet criteria should focus on performance, he confirmed that work results must be the only consideration.

Asked about tensions between political parties affecting government stability, Chaidchob said the government remains very stable and dismissed political rumors as routine, especially near confidence votes. He characterized recent attacks over old legal cases—including the Hua and Khao Kradong cases—as attempts to discredit the government at a time when it is performing well. "It reflects that the government has notable achievements, which is precisely why opponents are resurrecting old cases to undermine it now," he said.

On August 19, Jit Isara led a group of victims to file complaints at the Central Investigation Command. The victims reported being defrauded in a Pokemon card and collectible card investment scheme totaling over 5 million baht in losses.

A 15-year-old victim, referred to as Mr. A, said he first met the suspect at a gaming and card event in Bangkok. The suspect befriended him and persuaded him to buy Pokemon cards. Over approximately four months, purchases and deliveries proceeded normally, yielding about 10 percent profit on resales. This built trust, and the victim continued investing because the suspect's profile appeared credible and was known among traders and card game enthusiasts.

Contact with the suspect occurred through a personal Facebook account, not a business page. All payments went to a single bank account. Eventually, the victim did not receive the latest shipment of cards; the suspect claimed customs or shipping delays. The victim also loaned the suspect about 10,000 baht. His personal losses totaled approximately 140,000 baht.

Twenty victims have experienced similar behavior, with combined losses exceeding 5 million baht. The suspect has since closed his Facebook and Instagram accounts and cannot be reached.

Another victim, a 23-year-old named Mr. L, met the suspect through another victim. The suspect proposed trading graded Pokemon cards initially, including a Umbreon "Split Earth" card with a market price of 500,000 baht, which the suspect offered for 410,000 baht. Mr. L was eventually defrauded, losing approximately 640,000 baht.

Jit Isara said all victims are filing formal complaints with the Crime Suppression Division to pursue legal action. The suspect's fraud extends to other collectible cards beyond Pokemon, and authorities expect additional victims to come forward.

A selection committee chaired by Natthriya Tavivanggul, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, announced that two candidates passed screening from a total of ten applicants for the position of new SAT director. They are Dr. Meechai Inwud, deputy director for administration, and Pordpran Samanmit, deputy director for professional sports and muay boxing.

On August 19, the SAT board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Thongsak Thongsri with Minister Surasak Panjaicharungkul as vice-chair, convened at Government House to select the new director. Reports confirm the board has appointed Pordpran Samanmit as the new director, making her the 14th leader of SAT and the first female director in the organization's 62-year history. The board has determined her remuneration and drafted an employment contract, which will be submitted to the State Enterprise Policy Office under the Finance Ministry for approval, then returned to the SAT board for final approval, followed by submission to the Cabinet for endorsement.

Pordpran Samanmit, nicknamed Tor, was born on April 1, 1969, and is currently 57 years old. She is from Khon Kaen province and holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Chulalongkorn University and a master's degree in public and private administration from Ramkhamhaeng University. She joined SAT on April 9, 1991, and has progressed through various roles: public relations director (2012–2017), director of the director's office (2017–2021), deputy director for strategy and information technology (2021–2022), deputy director for sports promotion (2022–2024), and most recently deputy director for professional sports and muay boxing (2024–present). She also completed the 66th course of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Defense and Deception Prevention program in 2023–2024. In 2025, the SAT board voted to appoint Pordpran Samanmit as the 14th director and the first female leader in the organization's history.