The Geological Survey Department's Disaster Operations Centre issued an alert on August 19, 2026 warning of landslides and flash floods over the coming one to three days. The department has requested volunteers and the public to monitor conditions in 15 provinces: Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, and Trat, with heightened vigilance from August 19-21, 2026.

Northern regions under alert include specific districts in Nan such as Pua, Bo Kluea, Tha Wang Pha, and Mae Chrim, and multiple districts across Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. Central region areas include Sangkhla Buri and Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi. Eastern areas include Ko Chang and Bo Rai in Trat, and Khao Khitchakut and Khlung in Chanthaburi.

The monsoon trough passing through the northern highlands and Laos, combined with a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam, has triggered continuous heavy rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres in 24 hours, causing flash floods in some areas and increasing landslide risk. Volunteers are asked to maintain continuous rainfall monitoring and alert communities immediately if landslides or flash floods occur, then notify relevant authorities and follow established emergency response protocols.

Phuket — Thai teenage singer Nene Royal flew to the United States with her family on Wednesday to compete in the Live Show round of America's Got Talent on August 25, asking Thais around the world to cheer her on and vote.

Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amlai, 16, departed Phuket International Airport on the morning of August 19 with her father Narong Amlai, mother Aom, and younger brother. The family flew Bangkok Airways from Phuket to Suvarnabhumi Airport before continuing to the United States, where Nene will take the stage in the upcoming America's Got Talent Live Show.

The departure was low-key, with no large gathering of fans at the airport. Media members were present to cover the trip and offer their support.

Nene said she was fully prepared for the competition after spending almost the entire day rehearsing. "I will do my best in this competition and ask everyone to cheer me on, especially relatives and supporters in the United States," Nene said. She also asked them to vote for "Nene Royal" and thanked everyone who has continued to follow her journey and send encouragement.

The Live Show is a crucial stage of the competition, where contestants perform before an audience and enter the voting process for a chance to advance to the next round.

Nene said she aims to deliver a stronger performance than in her previous two rounds and hopes to receive support from as many viewers as possible to give her extra energy on stage. Her father, Narong, thanked everyone for their continued support and concern for his daughter, saying he would do his best to look after her throughout the competition.

For this round, the family has used lessons from Nene's previous two performances to plan her preparation, while also keeping a surprise in store for the upcoming competition. Before leaving Phuket, Nene urged her fans to continue sending encouragement and cheering for her. She also reminded relatives and supporters in the US not to forget to vote for "Nene Royal" in this important round.

On August 19, Phakkamonkul Thonnaoun, Pheu Thai list MP and party spokesperson, addressed accusations that the Pheu Thai Party had facilitated or encouraged citizens to file charges under Article 112 of the Criminal Code in connection with an audio clip from a parliamentary member fraud case. She firmly denied that Pheu Thai supported such action, stating the party understands the problems with Article 112's current enforcement, which allows anyone to accuse anyone and risks being weaponized for political persecution contrary to international standards.

Phakkamonkul explained that party leadership had only questioned the standards of certain political factions that exploit Article 112 to destroy opponents while staying silent when power-aligned groups face similar incidents, aiming to expose the distorted legal warfare system—not to endorse use of the law to harm anyone. She said the misrepresentation shown in the audio clip exemplifies improper conduct by the parliamentary fraud scheme, consistent with witness accounts revealing clear connections and patterns. With all public evidence and materials now in the Election Commission's hands, she urged the commission to stop delaying and immediately prosecute all suspects in the parliamentary fraud case in court, allowing justice to determine the facts and restore public confidence.

On August 19, authorities received a report at 6:37 a.m. of an unconscious person at a residence on Pattanakarn 61 Road in Prawet district, Bangkok. The Po Teg Tung Foundation and related agencies rushed to the scene, where they found Ray McDonald, a prominent actor and presenter from the 1990s, unconscious. Medical staff attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at 7:05 a.m. Ray McDonald was born on May 21, 1967, in Roi Et province. He was a Thai-Scottish (Eurasian) actor, television host, and model who became famous as a leading man and teen presenter in the 1990s, notably hosting the popular program Teen Talk. Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of death.

Aussie accused in Pattaya teen suitcase murder case nears trialLegacyThai police have revealed that a Pattaya teenager found dead inside a suitcase in June died from suffocation caused by a brain injury, as the investigation into her alleged murder by an Australian man nears completion. “The autopsy report said that Cake had a brain injury and she suffocated. She had no other injuries,” Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent Colonel Anek Srathongyoo told the ABC in an exclusive interview. The victim, 17 year old Tunchanok Donhomla, known as Cake, disappeared after being seen on CCTV entering a condominium near Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach with a foreign man in the early hours of June 25. Her body was discovered two days later inside a suitcase dumped near railway tracks in the Chaiyaphruek area of Pattaya, a short drive from the man’s accommodation. Police said DNA collected from the accused, 45 year old Australian national Simon Carman, matched DNA found on the victim’s body. Suitcase that Cake’s body was discovered in | Photo via Siamrath Carman was arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on June 27, just minutes before he was due to board a flight home, after CCTV allegedly showed him moving a suitcase by motorcycle on the night Tunchanok went missing. Colonel Anek said investigators expect to conclude their work by Friday, August 21, and hand the file to prosecutors, who will then have until September 18 to formally indict Carman. “I think we have collected 100% of the evidence. Once it is brought before the court, the court can consider imposing a sentence quickly.” Carman has been charged with four offences, including murder, moving a body, and taking a minor for sexual purposes, with murder carrying the death penalty or life imprisonment under Thai law. He denies killing Tunchanok and has told police he acted in self-defence, alleging she threatened him with a knife. Police said the pair had argued over money, though officers declined to give further detail. According to Thai media reports, Carman said the two agreed on a payment of 1,000 baht (US$30) but argued after he offered 500 baht (US$15) instead. CCTV footage of the pair before the alleged murder | Photo via Pattaya Police Station Tunchanok’s father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was relieved to hear of the progress in the case. “I don’t ask for much. I just hope my child gets the justice she deserves,” he said. Her aunt, Mee Boonsert, said she wanted to see the death penalty applied if Carman is found guilty. Carman remains in custody at Pattaya Remand Prison, where he shares a cell with at least 60 other inmates and is the only Australian national held there, according to the prison’s commander. He has received no visitors aside from Australian embassy staff. A court date has not yet been set. Tunchanok Donhomla (Cake) | Photo via Instagram The story Aussie accused in Pattaya teen suitcase murder case nears trial as seen on Thaiger News.

Thailand's Office of Trade and Economic Strategy is launching four plans to position Thai agricultural products in the booming global wellness and longevity market, projected to reach 6.7 trillion US dollars by 2040. The office director Nanthapon Jiralertpongse revealed that modern consumers are willing to pay significantly more for health-focused products backed by scientific evidence, rather than waiting until they fall ill. Thai herbal and natural products remain highly sought globally, with the country ranking 11th in herbal retail trade worth 1.36 billion US dollars in 2024, up 5.2% from the previous year and expected to reach 1.84 billion dollars by 2030.

The four urgent strategies include: first, elevating agricultural extracts to medical-grade standards through clinical validation, using champion Thai herbs like Centella asiatica for skin healing and turmeric for deep anti-inflammatory effects; second, integrating extracts into daily consumer products and personalized nutrition, particularly for users of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs; and third and fourth measures aimed at expanding market reach and building international credibility. Over 50% of fast-moving consumer goods sold online in 2024 emphasize health benefits, with consumers willing to pay at least 20% more for scientifically proven results.