The Thai Gold Traders Association reported that gold prices have surged on August 22, 2026, with ornamental gold (96.5%) selling at 71,950 baht per gram—a 250-baht increase from August 21. Gold bars are being bought at 70,950 baht per gram and sold at 71,150 baht per gram. The global gold spot price is currently at $4,605 per ounce. Gold traders are predicting further increases of 1,000 to 2,000 baht per gram in tomorrow's opening, potentially breaking through the 80,000-baht threshold.

Thai national team striker Arm Suphachai Jaidej has tearfully paid tribute to Ray McDonald, the man he credits as his second father and most influential mentor. McDonald, who discovered Suphachai as a young footballer in Thailand's southern border provinces and became his sponsor at age 11, passed away two months ago. Suphachai has opened up about their relationship, from the moment McDonald recruited him for a trial in Sweden through to becoming a professional footballer capable of supporting his family with pride.

Suphachai recalled how McDonald came to the southern border provinces to scout footballers for a trip to Sweden. "I was just a kid playing football at home and at school down south," Suphachai said. "Ray had a program because he had once represented Thailand in competitions abroad. One day he came to select footballers to take to Sweden. I was one of those selected. Ray was club president at the time. He brought coaching staff and a football teacher to scout players. He supported the team and took us to compete. He did everything. At that time I didn't even know who he was, but after getting to know him I felt a strong bond."

Suphachai emphasized McDonald's profound impact on his life. "Ray lived alongside us and mixed with all the athletes. He treated everyone equally, not just the kids from the three southern border provinces but children from other nearby areas as well. Many southern kids knew Ray back then. He was someone who genuinely cared. Few people are like that—someone who gives opportunities to others."

When Suphachai was just 11 years old, McDonald asked his parents' permission to become his foster father and bring him to Bangkok to pursue a professional football career. "He promised my parents he would take care of me," Suphachai recalled. "I will never forget that. I was so happy. He gave his word to my parents that he would look after me."

Suphachai credits McDonald as the architect of his success. "Ray opened the door and gave me the opportunity. He set an example for me to strive and fight for everything to reach this point. He never took credit from me." Now playing for Buriram United, Suphachai occasionally returns to Bangkok, but treasures the foundation McDonald built for his entire career.

On August 22, Bang Khae Police Station commander Pol. Col. Anant Worsart ordered rapid-response officers to apprehend a 49-year-old man named Pairat (surname withheld) in the Anusawari subdistrict area of Bang Khae. Officers recovered a homemade pen-type pistol and one round of ammunition from his possession.

The arrest occurred after rapid-response officers on patrol spotted Pairat standing in the soi and observed him acting nervously upon seeing the police, as if he was concealing something illegal. Officers stopped him and conducted a search, discovering the black homemade pistol with one round loaded and ready to fire hidden inside his left shoe.

When questioned, Pairat admitted the weapon and ammunition were his. He stated he had manufactured the gun himself and carried it for self-defense, believing no one would notice it. He became alarmed when he encountered the police officers.

Pairat faces charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a firearm and ammunition in a city, village, or public area without reasonable cause or urgent necessity. The case is being processed further by authorities.

Rescue teams led by Pond Chakkarikrit and assisted by divers from multiple organizations conducted a five-hour search operation after a man went missing with his boat in the Nan River near Ban Pa Ka village in Nan province on August 21 at 3:30 p.m. The search was coordinated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, Nan Province Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, and volunteer rescue teams including Saidhorn Bridge Association, Chiang Mai United Rescue, Devakrit Rescue, and Nha Luang Rescue. A drone team surveyed the area from above while divers conducted underwater searches across the river surface and surrounding banks. After more than five hours of intensive searching, rescue teams successfully recovered the body of the missing person. The deceased has been identified as 58-year-old Theerathorn, a resident of Nha Luang subdistrict in Wieng Sa district, Nan province.

On August 22, 2569, the Meteorological Department forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rain in some areas across Thailand over the next 24 hours, particularly in the western regions of the northern, central, and eastern zones. A monsoon trough is moving northward across the upper northern region and northern Laos, interacting with a depression near Hainan Island in China. The strengthening southwest monsoon is affecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Residents should remain alert for hazards from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods, flooding, and overflowing banks, especially in sloping terrain near water channels and low-lying areas. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea are moderately strong, with heights of 2–3 meters; thunderstorm zones may see waves exceeding 3 meters. In the upper Gulf of Thailand, waves are approximately 2 meters, increasing beyond 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Fishermen throughout the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand should exercise caution, avoid thunderstorm zones, and small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should stay ashore. The depression near Hainan is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone and move onshore in the southern Guangdong province of China between August 24–25, 2569, but will not directly affect Thailand's weather. Travelers to that region should check conditions before departing.

For the next 24 hours from 06:00 today to 06:00 tomorrow:

Northern Region: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some places, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampun, Lamphun, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, and Tak provinces. Low 22–26°C, high 31–34°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: Thunderstorms in 40 percent of the area with heavy rain in some places, particularly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, and Nakhon Phanom provinces. Low 23–24°C, high 31–33°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Central Region: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some places, particularly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Ratchaburi, and Kanchanaburi provinces. Low 23–25°C, high 32–34°C. Southwest winds 10–25 km/h.

Eastern Region: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some places, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Low 23–27°C, high 31–33°C. Southwest winds 20–35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 2 meters; higher than 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

Southern Region (East Coast): Thunderstorms in 30 percent of the area, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani provinces. Low 23–25°C, high 30–37°C. From Surat Thani northward: southwest winds 20–35 km/h; sea waves 1–2 meters nearshore, approximately 2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. From Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: southwest winds 15–35 km/h.

At the Don Yai Thong archaeological excavation site in Ban Don Phlap, Samot Phraeao subdistrict, Ban Lad district, Phetchaburi province, archaeologists from the Fine Arts Department's Ratchaburi office coordinated with conservation science personnel to relocate ancient human skeletal remains estimated to be 1,500–2,000 years old. Using a 10-ton crane, officials lifted two sets of support bases containing a total of seven skeletons: set one holding skeletons numbered 5–8 (four skeletons) and set two holding skeletons numbered 9–11 (three skeletons). Each base measured approximately 1 meter wide and 2.5 meters long, weighing 1.2–1.5 tons.

Before extraction, conservation staff excavated soil around each skeleton on all four sides in a rectangular pattern and covered the remains with acid-free paper. The skeletons were then sprayed with distilled water at intervals and sealed with aluminum foil sheets to prevent chemical contamination. Polyurethane foam was injected into the gaps to protect both the skeletal remains and the supporting soil layer from damage. The remains were scheduled to be transported to the Science Conservation Center in Khlong Ha subdistrict, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, on the morning of August 22, 2026.