Continuous heavy rain in Ubon Ratchathani province has caused the Mekong River to swell into Huay Mak stream in Khong Chiam district, raising water levels more than 3 metres and flooding the village access road, cutting off vehicle traffic for about 40 households who must now use flat-bottomed boats.

Since August 7, accumulated rainwater combined with elevated Mekong levels has flowed rapidly into Huay Mak stream, flooding roughly 200 metres of road with water deeper than 3 metres and isolating the community. Residents face daily difficulties in movement and normal activities, forcing them to rely on flat-bottomed boats for travel.

Huay Phrai subdistrict initially requested one flat-bottomed boat from Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Administration Organization to ferry affected residents, while the Mekong River Patrol Unit at Khong Chiam Station stationed 10 officers daily—five in the morning and five in the afternoon—to facilitate safe passage and protect lives and property. The Mekong River level continues to rise, currently at 14.70 metres with water overflowing the banks by 20 centimetres, placing the situation under close alert status.

Indonesia's Embassy in Thailand marked the country's 81st Independence Day with a reception in Bangkok on 20 August, bringing together diplomats, politicians, media and guests from various sectors.

The reception was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, where Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Hari Prabowo highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries and Thailand's role in Indonesia's journey to independence. "Thailand has a special place in Indonesia's journey to independence," Prabowo said. He noted that Bangkok was home to Indonesia's first diplomatic mission overseas. The Indonesia Office, or INDOFF, opened in Silom in 1947 to mobilise international support and recognition for Indonesia's newly proclaimed independence. It later evolved into the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok. Prabowo expressed "profound gratitude" to Their Majesties, the Royal Thai Government and the Thai people for standing by Indonesia from the early days of its independence.

He said bilateral relations have continued to deepen, pointing to the launch of the Indonesia-Thailand Strategic Partnership in Bangkok in 2025 and the launch of its roadmap in Jakarta on 3 August 2026 during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit. The ambassador described the strategic partnership as forward-looking and people-centred, aimed at delivering concrete benefits to the peoples of both countries, including future generations. He also stressed the need for Indonesia and Thailand to work together for a peaceful and stable ASEAN.

"Indonesia's independence was founded on the conviction that freedom is the right of all peoples," Prabowo said, adding that independence and freedom should be used to build a just society that protects human rights and human dignity, creates prosperity and ensures sustainability.

Deputy Interior Minister Jetseree Thaisaengrat visited Pua District in Nan Province on August 21 to lead ongoing flood relief and recovery efforts. He held discussions with residents to assess damage to homes and property, and to plan targeted and swift resource allocation.

The operation integrates personnel from multiple agencies including the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the Department of Public Works and Urban Planning, the Regional Water Authority, the Department of Internal Administration, and volunteer forces. Equipment mobilized to the area includes four mud-removal and debris-collection trucks, eight 6-wheel dump trucks, one water-production truck, one field kitchen truck, and one 10,000-liter water tanker. Additional water trucks have been deployed for house cleaning to help affected households resume normal life as quickly as possible.

Jetseree emphasized that recovery work must continue immediately after water levels recede, as residents' hardships do not end when flooding stops. Homes still contain sediment and contaminants, and both property and public infrastructure require repair. He stressed the importance of listening directly to community concerns to ensure aid matches real needs. "The water has receded, but our work is not finished," he said. "We must accelerate recovery in all areas and help the people of Pua return home, earn their living, and resume normal life as soon as possible."

All agencies have been instructed to monitor rainfall and water levels closely and maintain readiness with adequate personnel, machinery, and resources to respond to changing conditions, with emphasis on proactive engagement in affected areas and solutions tailored to community needs.

On August 21, 2026, heavy and continuous rainfall across Uttaradit province caused water levels to rise significantly. Highland areas in Lap La district experienced particularly intense rain, raising levels in Mae Pool and Mae Prong streams. The accumulated water flowed rapidly into streams and canals in Pai Lom subdistrict, Lap La district, overwhelming them and flooding homes and farmland across a wide area.

Komsarn Ammeung, chief of the Pai Lom subdistrict administrative office, instructed area leaders to alert residents to watch for sudden flooding, flash floods, and overflowing banks in low-lying areas. He advised people to move vehicles, secure valuables and important documents to higher ground, and watch for electrical hazards while caring for vulnerable groups. Authorities coordinated with Uttaradit provincial government, provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, and Uttaradit municipality to mobilize backhoes and excavators to clear waterways of debris, vegetation, and fallen trees blocking water flow through canals to improve drainage toward Bung Mai, a major water storage reservoir. Uttaradit Highway 1 Office installed flood warning signs along affected roads to alert the public to avoid the areas or use caution when passing through.

Komsarn reported that Pai Lom subdistrict, a low-lying area receiving runoff from Lap La's highlands, initially saw flooding in seven villages across community clusters 1, 2, 3, and 6, with over 2,000 rai of predominantly rice-growing agricultural land damaged. The situation is expected to return to normal once rainfall decreases. Authorities are monitoring water levels continuously around the clock.

At 3:45 p.m. on August 21, 2025 in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, Nattapong Ruengpanya, a list-based MP and leader of the People's Party opposition, discussed Digital Economy and Society Ministry Deputy Secretary Pachon Anantasil's determination to press ahead with the TH-AI Passport project despite alleged Article 157 charges. Nattapong said the opposition is preparing a complaint for relevant agencies to investigate. Dr. Wayo Aswanarung, a list-based MP and party deputy leader, is leading the effort, with MP Ratchanok Srinok also involved. Although the government has the authority to continue the project, the opposition will perform its full oversight duty and submit the matter for further investigation.

When asked if there are grounds to prosecute, particularly for violating the Terms of Reference, Nattapong said the available information clearly indicates specification locking. The People's Party has uncovered additional concerns: the network of companies winning the TH-AI Passport contract also hold other state sector contracts across multiple ministries, displaying bidding and procurement patterns that suggest collusion and specification manipulation.

Regarding concerns that data could leak abroad, despite the ministry's assurances of security, Nattapong said the public must choose whom to trust. The Terms of Reference, he noted, clearly state that both the state and service providers know who accesses the system and what commands are used. He cannot verify whether government claims are true, but urged citizens registering for the program to be aware that the Terms of Reference contain such provisions and to consider how well their personal data will be protected.

Asked whether the current one million registrations constitute success against a five million target, Nattapong said the real issue is larger. While he agrees the government's stated aim to raise Thai skills in AI use is valid, the more important question is how AI is deployed. Beyond raising awareness, meaningful AI applications should address disaster management, detecting state procurement fraud, or investigating local corruption—uses that civil society and activists have already developed. If the state, with its budget and authority, took the lead on such projects using AI, wouldn't the benefits be far greater? If government chose to do what truly needs doing, the impact would be far more significant.

South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik of Vietnam's national football team has expressed confidence that his squad will defend their ASEAN Championship title. At a press conference at Rajamangala Stadium on August 21 organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, Kim Sang-sik discussed the championship match against Thailand: "Our team has prepared well for this tournament and performed excellently throughout. We also have positive memories at Rajamangala Stadium and experience winning championships here. We will prove ourselves in tomorrow's match. The entire team hopes to win the championship, and we are confident in ourselves."

When asked whether Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son), a Brazilian-born striker, would score a hat-trick against Thailand, the Vietnamese coach responded that beyond Nguyen Xuan Son, who leads the scoring race with five goals, there are other players ready to perform in the match against Thailand.

Meanwhile, Do Hoang Hen (Henrique), a Brazilian-blooded striker, said the team had trained well in South Korea and would strive for victory. He expressed it as an honor to play as a Vietnamese footballer, saying he loves everyone and Vietnamese fans, and will give his full effort as a Vietnamese national.