On August 19, Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivatana addressed the flooding crisis in Nan province, expressing sympathy and encouragement to residents, workers, and business owners facing the disaster. The government is coordinating all relevant agencies to provide comprehensive assistance, relief, and area rehabilitation.

For workers and businesses impacted by flooding and unable to work normally, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare has introduced support measures: workers unable to travel to their workplaces are entitled to paid leave, which will not be counted against their annual leave balance. Employers may apply for low-interest loans from the occupational safety, health, and environmental fund to repair and restore damaged facilities, with terms determined on a case-by-case basis.

The minister ordered the labor ministry's five provincial units—the Provincial Labor Office, Provincial Employment Office, Provincial Skills Development Office, Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office, and Provincial Social Security Office—to immediately deploy to Nan to monitor conditions and provide full support to affected workers and business owners. Residents seeking assistance or information can contact the Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office or call the labor ministry hotline 1506 around the clock.

BANGKOK — A group of victims has filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau's Economic Crime Suppression Division after allegedly being scammed through pre-orders and trades involving Pokemon cards and other collectible cards, with total losses exceeding 5 million baht.

Tankhun Jitt-itsara accompanied the victims to file a complaint with investigators at the Economic Crime Suppression Division.

One victim, identified as "A," a 15-year-old boy, said he first met the alleged suspect at a gaming and trading card event in Bangkok. The suspect initially befriended him before encouraging him to pre-order Pokemon trading cards. For about four months, A said, he had regularly ordered and received cards from the suspect and earned an average profit of around 10% by reselling them.

The transactions led him to trust the suspect and continue investing in card trading. He said the suspect appeared credible, was known among card sellers and buyers, and had connections with adults and others in the trading card community.

The victim said all communication took place through the suspect's personal Facebook account rather than a business page. Payments were made to a single bank account.

Problems arose when the latest orders failed to arrive. The suspect reportedly gave various explanations, including claims that the products were being held by immigration authorities or that shipments from overseas had been delayed.

A also said the suspect had borrowed about 10,000 baht from him. His total loss was around 140,000 baht.

The victims have since learned that about 20 people may have been affected in a similar manner, with combined losses exceeding 5 million baht. The suspect has reportedly closed both his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts and can no longer be contacted.

Another victim, identified as "L," 23, said he was already active in the trading card community and was introduced to the suspect through another victim. L said the suspect tried to become close to him and initially contacted him to offer Pokemon card trades. The suspect sent photographs of graded Pokemon cards — cards professionally assessed and certified for condition and quality — and offered them for sale or exchange at around 65,000 baht.

When the suspect's cards were worth more, L said he agreed to pay the difference. After repeated transactions, the two became close and L grew to trust the suspect. At one point, L wanted an Umbreon "Split Earth" card, which had a market price of around 500,000 baht.

The suspect allegedly offered to obtain the card for 410,000 baht, below the market price. L said he was eventually defrauded in the same manner as the other victims, suffering losses of around 640,000 baht.

Tankhun said he had brought all the victims to file complaints with Economic Crime Suppression Division investigators so legal proceedings could be pursued to the fullest extent. He added that the alleged suspect had also targeted other collectible cards.

Bus Transport Company Limited (BKS) has reported severe flooding in Phayao province due to continuous heavy rainfall causing flash floods and swollen waterways. Water levels have risen near Krang Bridge up to the PTT petrol station in Pua district, disrupting service on the Bangkok-Thung Chang route. The route cannot proceed to its final destination in Thung Chang district temporarily as there are no alternative routes available. For passenger safety, BKS has moved pickup and drop-off operations to Pua district station. Affected passengers can request ticket refunds at any BKS ticket counter throughout the country. BKS will continue to monitor water levels closely and provide further updates. For travel inquiries, contact 02-936-2841-48 or Nan Bus Station at 080-079-4957.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn has inspected the M6 motorway's Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima section and held a meeting to prepare a trial opening of the Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong segment, approximately 110 kilometres long. The trial opening will be free for the public every weekend, starting August 21, 2569, at noon.

The 196-kilometre M6 motorway is critical infrastructure linking Bangkok and surrounding areas with the Northeast region. It provides an alternative route, reduces travel time and traffic volume on Phahon Yothin and Friendship roads, and supports reduced transport costs while promoting trade, investment, tourism, and logistics.

The Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong trial opening will run from Friday, August 21, at noon, continuously through to Sunday at midnight, with no toll charges. It will connect with the already-operating Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima bypass section, allowing uninterrupted use of the M6 during holidays.

The Transport Ministry has emphasised principles of convenience and safety, particularly in the scenic Lam Takong area where heavy traffic is expected. Safety measures will prevent unsafe stops and parking. During the trial, only four-wheeled vehicles are permitted, with speed limited to 80 kilometres per hour, as some areas remain under construction. Highway police and staff will monitor the entire route. Vehicle parking or shoulder use without necessity is prohibited, and traffic signs must be obeyed.

The Department of Highways has prepared staff, assistance vehicles, and 24-hour emergency systems, coordinated with highway police, provincial police, rescue units, and authorities in Ayutthaya, Saraburi, and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces to manage traffic and handle emergencies. VMS signs will provide traffic information throughout.

Deputy Prime Minister Pipat stated that the Transport Ministry is accelerating remaining work to open the entire 196-kilometre Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima M6 toll-free around the clock during the 2027 New Year festival, before proceeding to system testing and trial runs ahead of full commercial operation with toll collection.

As of July 2569, civil construction is 99.37% complete from 40 contracts, with 38 finished and 2 remaining, targeting completion by December 2569. Toll collection systems, traffic control and management systems, and safety systems under PPP arrangement are 92.32% complete, with aims to support full trial opening during the 2027 New Year period before full commercial operation and toll collection in April 2570.

Po Teck Tung Foundation is reducing inequality and expanding opportunities to create equal livelihoods for residents of Lampang, Lamphun, and Chiang Rai, with a total value of over 1.1 million baht. The foundation is distributing occupational equipment to low-income families and providing free medical services in the region.

Between 18-19 August 2025, foundation leadership led by Chinda Bunyalap, audit committee member, along with Siriporn Krajang (social welfare manager), Naowarat Wansilp (community medical unit head), and Prathawi Kulbut (acting education and career promotion department head), distributed vocational equipment to 60 women, men, single fathers, and LGBTQ+ individuals across three provinces with limited resources but possessing skills and knowledge. The total value of equipment distributed was 1,163,800 baht.

The initiative was presided over by Ronroong Theprak, Deputy Governor of Lampang Province, along with other provincial and national officials. The foundation also deployed community medical units with volunteer doctors, medical staff, rescue teams, and volunteers to provide free eyeglasses, haircuts, and youth recreation activities in Lampang and Chiang Rai.

The Occupational Development Program for Women and Families aims to provide vocational equipment to economically disadvantaged women, men, single fathers, and LGBTQ+ individuals who lack resources despite possessing skills and knowledge. In 2025, the foundation is collaborating with 12 women and family development centers across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Sisaket, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Lampang, Chiang Rai, and Phitsanulok. The foundation hopes this project will help create employment, generate income, reduce social inequality, and contribute to sustainable national development.

Over its 116-year history, Po Teck Tung Foundation has expanded its programs widely, alleviating suffering and providing welfare to disadvantaged people regardless of race or religion.

Asset World Corporation (AWC) is advancing its luxury hotel and service expansion strategy with the debut of Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, Thailand's first Fairmont-branded hotel, developed in partnership with Accor and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Positioned as a lifestyle destination and hub for meetings, incentive travel, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in central Sukhumvit, the property caters to international tourists, business travelers, and domestic clientele.

The new hotel opening is part of AWC's broader approach to developing and managing hotel and lifestyle assets by creating a destination that integrates hotel operations, food and beverage, wellness, and event management to maximize long-term revenue potential.

The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit features 416 guest rooms and suites, which began welcoming guests from August 18, 2026, positioning itself as a new luxury hotel on Sukhumvit—one of Bangkok's key zones for tourism, commerce, and business. Beyond room revenue, AWC has structured the hotel to generate income from related businesses, with plans to open seven restaurants and gathering spaces throughout 2026, including a rooftop dining experience launching in December, driving business activity and spending beyond standard room rates.

The hotel emphasizes MICE as a revenue driver, offering over 2,000 square meters of event space across three floors accommodating international conferences, executive meetings, seminars, weddings, gala dinners, and various event formats. The Signature Grand Ballroom, featuring a 12-meter ceiling, along with breakout ballrooms and flexible meeting areas, enables the hotel to serve multiple market segments from domestic organizations to international clients.

Expanding MICE facilities diversifies the hotel's revenue base beyond room bookings to include conferences, food and beverage, banquets, and in-house activities—a key component of luxury urban hotel business models.

Beyond rooms and MICE, the hotel plans to open seven food and entertainment venues including Harper's, AELA Social Bar, CAYA Pool Club, and Wiggle Room, with additional experiences on floors 32-33 and rooftop areas launching late 2026. The property also includes a 1,000-square-meter Fairmont Spa and Fairmont Studio for yoga and fitness, plus family facilities, reflecting a lifestyle and wellness approach alongside hotel operations.

AWC's hotel development aims to create a comprehensive "destination" integrating hotel, dining, wellness, and events to build multiple revenue streams.