Many people barely drink plain water, opting instead for soft drinks, sweet tea, coffee, juice, or energy drinks to quench their thirst. They believe that since all these beverages contain water, it makes little difference. However, while these drinks do provide fluids, the real danger lies in the other ingredients that come with them, particularly sugar, caffeine, and sodium. Regular consumption of these can increase the risk of numerous health problems.

Not drinking plain water does not necessarily mean dehydration. Water intake comes from many sources beyond plain water—tea, coffee, milk, soup, and water from vegetables and fruits all contribute to daily fluid intake. Therefore, people who don't drink plain water may not be dehydrated if they consume sufficient fluids daily. The key difference, however, is drink quality. Regularly replacing plain water with sweet tea or soft drinks means your body receives extra sugar and calories every day. Coffee or energy drinks may lead to excessive caffeine intake. For this reason, plain water remains the best choice for daily hydration, as it replenishes your body with virtually no energy, sugar, or additives.

What signals does the body send if you drink too little water? When fluid intake is insufficient, you may notice thirst and dry mouth, reduced or dark urine, fatigue and headaches, dizziness or blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating. In severe dehydration, you may experience rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, or fainting, especially during hot weather, intense exercise, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What diseases result from drinking sweet drinks instead of plain water daily?

1. Overweight and obesity: Sweet drinks are an easy source of calories but don't satisfy like solid food, so you consume excess energy without realizing it. Combined with low activity levels, weight and fat accumulation increase.

2. Type 2 diabetes: Regular high sugar intake, particularly in overweight individuals or those with excess belly fat, increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Soft drinks, sweet tea, and sugar-laden coffee should not be your main daily beverages.

3. Fatty liver and high blood lipids: Excess sugar, especially fructose, converts to fat and accumulates in the liver. Regular consumption of sweet drinks is linked to fatty liver disease and elevated triglycerides.

4. Increased risk of heart disease: Frequent sweet drink consumption is associated with overweight, diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure—all major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This doesn't mean one glass causes heart disease, but the risk builds from sustained behavior over time.

5. Tooth decay and enamel erosion: Sugar feeds mouth bacteria that produce acid and damage teeth. Soft drinks, fruit juices, and some energy drinks are highly acidic and erode enamel. Sipping sweet drinks throughout the day exposes teeth to sugar and acid constantly.

6. High uric acid and gout: High-sugar or high-fructose drinks may elevate uric acid levels, increasing the risk of gout, especially in those with other risk factors.

7. Kidney stones: The key issue is not directly about avoiding plain water, but ensuring adequate fluid intake overall.

On August 21, 2025, a violent disturbance broke out at a birthday celebration for Uad Ratchada at a Harley-Davidson themed shrimp fishing venue in the Ladprao-Wang Hin area of Bangkok. The event, which attracted numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts and gang members, descended into chaos when attendees began arguing intensely. Social media videos showed men confronting each other near the birthday backdrop before the violence escalated to punching, throwing glasses, and chairs. One man in a black shirt and pants was seen approaching tourists with what appeared to be a weapon.

The incident reportedly involved clashes between four major gang groups, including members known as Ko Ta Sai, Kamnarn Frank, Som Dodo, and Bangmud Khlong Tan, who attempted to stop the fighting. During the melee, Police Lieutenant Sittichai, age 56, known as Dab Jack 191, who was off-duty and attending as a friend of Ko Ta Sai, was stabbed twice in the abdomen while trying to intervene. He required 30 stitches and was hospitalized. A companion, Sattawat Khaewka, also suffered injuries from flying glass.

On August 21, 2025, police apprehended a man identified as Dam Baan Tai under an arrest warrant, charging him with attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in a public place. He will be held in custody beginning August 22, 2025. Police have also filed charges against the event organizer. The birthday event took place on August 19 at a Harley-themed shrimp fishing restaurant located near Ladprao-Wang Hin intersection.

The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Perth has arrived at Sattahip for a week-long visit to Thailand as part of Australia's Regional Presence Deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

The Anzac-class frigate, carrying around 190 personnel, will conduct joint training and activities with the Royal Thai Navy during its visit. A reception aboard the ship will also bring together representatives from Thailand and Australia's defence, government, business and civil society sectors.

Australian Ambassador to Thailand Pablo Kang said the visit would provide an opportunity to strengthen practical cooperation and deepen the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

"HMAS Perth's visit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen practical cooperation and further deepen the longstanding ties between Australia and Thailand," Kang said.

He highlighted the countries' long history of cooperation in military education and training, saying their work with regional partners was important to maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

HMAS Perth commanding officer Lt Cmdr Dylan White said the crew looked forward to working alongside their Thai counterparts.

"Our deployment aims to strengthen interoperability, build professional relationships and contribute to regional security," White said.

HMAS Perth last visited Thailand in 2024. The ship, which has been in Royal Australian Navy service for 20 years, provides a range of modern maritime capabilities for various missions.

White said the crew also valued the opportunity to conduct exercises with the Royal Thai Navy and strengthen the close friendship between the two navies.

Khon Kaen — Dharma relatives continue to visit Phra Kru Atul Sarnnithet, abbot of Paa Adul Yaaram Temple, to offer moral support as a land dispute continues. Police have set up a tent in front of the abbot's quarters and maintain 24-hour security with both officers and volunteer police present.

Most visitors travelling to the temple are from other provinces, coming in family groups or organised parties. Among them are retired senior civil servants and lawyers seeking to pay their respects. Phra Kru Atul Sarnnithet has been conversing with his visitors in a friendly manner, smiling and reassuring them that there is nothing to worry about because he has already won.

Surachai Intasen, 51, from San Sai District in Chiang Mai, said he made the journey specifically to offer moral support to the abbot. After following news reports and feeling that the situation was unjust, he felt compelled as a Buddhist to come and encourage the abbot. He said that even while watching news coverage at home, he felt angry at what he perceived as wrongdoing.

After reviewing documents released by the Buddhist Office and seeing news reports, Surachai said it was clear the property belonged to the temple and there was no need for further investigation, as he believes the temple has acted correctly. "I travelled over 700 kilometres because I wanted to offer my encouragement to the abbot in person," he explained. "After speaking with him, I felt he was no longer stressed, so I encouraged him to stay strong. The abbot smiled and laughed in response, showing his mood has improved."

Surachai added that as a Buddhist, he wanted to tell "Aunt Da" to stop, warning that if she continues she may soon find herself unable to speak. He alluded to a karmic belief that anyone who does wrong against the temple or the clergy will suffer severe consequences in the afterlife. He personally believes the matter will be resolved soon if all parties act seriously and with genuine intent. Despite his emotions being stirred when discussing the case, he said if he were to meet Aunt Da face to face, he would tell her to stop, though he also wondered whether she had no relatives or family members to advise and caution her.

On August 21, Dr. Worng Dechkitwikrom, list-system MP and Thai Pakdee party leader, addressed a special parliamentary committee meeting reviewing the 2570 fiscal year budget bill. The committee was considering a proposal by Wanmuhammadnor Matha to increase funding for the pension scheme serving former members of parliament and senate. Dr. Worng stated his firm opposition to the scheme, saying that legislators should not expect taxpayers to support them for life and that monthly pensions of around 20,000 baht constitute serious exploitation of public funds.

He argued that if former legislators face financial hardship, they should use state welfare cards or poverty assistance cards like ordinary citizens rather than claim special privileges. Dr. Worng said they already enjoy benefits superior to the general public, including 10,000 baht annual healthcare coverage and educational rights for their children.

Responding to Deputy Prime Minister Paradorn Pattanathabutr, who chairs the budget committee, Dr. Worng frankly acknowledged having previously received such payments but said he now feels conscience-stricken about lawmakers passing legislation to spend public tax money on supporting their peers. "I am not seeking attention," he declared, "I am responding to the people's demands. Those seeking attention are those who speak but do nothing. I challenge you, Paradorn, to debate this in parliament during session 2 with live broadcast."

Dr. Worng proposed that parliament or a credible polling organization conduct a nationwide public opinion survey asking citizens whether they support using tax revenue to pay monthly pensions of approximately 20,000 baht to former legislators for life. "This is taxpayers' money, not politicians' money, so you must ask the owners of the money if they agree. Do not try to settle this among yourselves in parliament. I am ready to debate this face-to-face in parliament so the people can decide," he said.

On August 21, 2025, Justice Minister Rutthapol Naorat and Interior Ministry Deputy Minister Vorasiṭ Liangprasiṭ led coordinated operations involving the Department of Special Investigation, a special Interior Ministry operations unit, and the National Police Office to search networks suspected of using nominees to hold land and operate businesses for foreigners in Pattaya and Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. The raids were executed under court-issued search warrants for violations of the Foreign Business Operation Act of 1999. Deputy DSI Commissioner Visṇu Chimtrakul, Chon Buri Governor Narit Niramaiyawong, and senior officials from multiple agencies participated in the operation as part of the government's policy to suppress illegal business activities and investigate the use of Thai nationals as nominee representatives for land ownership and business operations in the Pattaya and Bang Lamung areas. The operation marks a continuation of similar investigations previously conducted in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province, and Phuket Province.

Investigators identified Cozy Beach View Company Limited as violating the Foreign Business Operation Act. Authorities obtained a court search warrant to inspect three target locations. The first site was an international law office in Pattaya suspected of registering the company using Thai employees as shareholders on behalf of the foreign owner. The second was a hotel that hired the law office to file the company registration, with evidence showing Thai law office staff served as company founders and complex changes to shareholder names linked to other businesses. The third site was Cozy Beach View Company Limited itself in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung, which operates with an Israeli national as company director and uses Thai nationals as nominee shareholders since 2010, with evidence of significant director and shareholder links to other companies with combined assets exceeding hundreds of millions of baht. Deputy Minister Vorasiṭ stated the searches were conducted strictly in accordance with court warrants.