On August 8, 2025, at Ban Phai Hospital in Khon Kaen Province, Police Colonel Rakchai Rueangcharoen, commander of Ban Phai Police Station, visited 42-year-old Trichep, a local journalist and administrator of the Facebook page "Ban Phai People News," who had been assaulted and suffered a severe gash above his right eyebrow requiring 12 stitches. His neck also bore scratch marks and claw wounds from fingernails. Doctors advised him to remain hospitalized for observation, and he stated that a deputy police chief attacked him at Ban Phai Police Station the previous evening.

Trichep revealed that he is the owner of the "Ban Phai People News" social media page and is part of the media network of Khon Kaen Province's television and newspaper journalists. Around 7 p.m., he parked his car at the front of the investigation office to attend a village elder's merit-making ceremony held at the Ban Phai District Office grounds. A deputy police chief he knew called him over to chat at a marble table in the back area, where two other officers were already seated. After about five minutes, the deputy police chief suddenly locked his neck with intense force. Trichep told him to stop as he couldn't breathe, and even the officers at the table told him to release him. When officers began to stand and intervene, he let go.

Feeling this might be serious, Trichep attempted to leave the table and walk toward the investigation office entrance. As he reached the door, he heard the deputy chief say, "Is this just joking around, or are you upset?" Trichep replied, "Sir, you're being too rough. I need to leave," but as he walked out, the deputy chief locked his neck a second time. Trichep lost consciousness until the two officers who had been seated at the table came with tissues to wipe blood from what he initially thought was his nose, but blood continued flowing. He later realized the wound was above his right eyebrow. Officers called municipal rescue services to provide first aid. While waiting for the ambulance, Trichep heard the deputy chief shouting loudly, and when uniformed officers arrived to investigate, the deputy chief retreated into his office. An ambulance then transported him to Ban Phai Hospital.

Trichep said he had known the deputy chief for a long time and had worked with him frequently, having a close relationship. They had never quarreled before and would joke and tease each other as acquaintances normally do. He never expected this incident to occur. After being discharged from the hospital, he plans to file an assault complaint at Ban Phai Police Station immediately.

Andy Khemsophimuk revealed that police showed him CCTV footage showing Tae Dragon Five climbing stairs beneath Rama 7 Bridge before his body was found floating in the water. He believes his friend was not suffering from depression.

Before the Buddhist funeral ceremony for Tae Dragon Five—whose real name was Tawit Taephan, a 46-year-old singer famous in the 1990s—Andy Khemsophimuk, a bandmate and close friend who attended the ceremony, opened his heart about the loss.

"Before coming to the temple, I went to the place where they found Tae's body," Andy said. "I invited my teacher from Rajabhopith Temple to perform a ritual releasing ceremony, telling Tae that he no longer needs to stay there and to come to the temple where his mother and everyone are waiting. Last night I spoke to Tae in my heart, asking where he was and if he would come talk for a bit, but I didn't smell incense. This morning I felt I needed to invite him here. I believe my friend understood because just then I smelled something—Tae's presence from yesterday—but still no incense smell. The image from yesterday hasn't faded because I saw my friend, and seeing his mother cry made me feel so sad. I tried telling her there was no need to look if it wasn't necessary. I'm asking everyone not to send those kinds of images—please spare his mother."

Andy continued: "I want to say that all Dragon Five members love Tae. But some people are criticizing Tao from Dragon Five. I learned about Tae from Tao, and Tao has been in China for 2–3 days now, taking his family on a trip. Tao asked me to tell everyone that he'll be back on the 10th and will come see Tae."

When asked if there were any warning signs, Andy said: "There were no signs at all. Honestly, Tae shouldn't have done this because he wasn't that kind of person. He must have been pushed to some extreme. Even his mother didn't know anything. His mother says the same thing I do—Tae wouldn't tell anyone what was wrong. He wasn't depressed, that's for sure. Tae was a cyclist, always doing something, always thinking of his mother and deeply loved his girlfriend. I can say one thing: Tae had no illness whatsoever. He was such a lovely person. Even though he was the oldest in the band, I let him look after the group because I'm loud and outspoken, while Tae was calm. It feels like a dream. I pinch myself wondering if this is really happening or if we're still dreaming."

When asked if the band Dragon Five might perform together again, Andy replied: "Tae always told me and the band members that he wanted us to perform again for work, no matter the pay. He wanted to see all five of us dancing together. But everyone has their own jobs and no time. It's a shame—now there are only four of us left. I don't think we'll come together soon or in the near future because there's no project like that. But I'll keep making my own music."

Regarding the mother's lingering questions about the cause of Tae's death, Andy said: "As a mother, she naturally has concerns. But from everything we've seen, everyone can understand it went that way. What we know now is that the bicycle still hasn't been found. I spoke with the deputy investigator, and they've traced where a brick came from—under Rama 7 Bridge. They saw Tae go up the bridge and climb the stairs underneath. But it's not over yet because police are trying to determine if he came back down. If he didn't come down, then that's what happened there."

When asked if he had doubts after seeing the footage, Andy said: "Yesterday I briefly wondered if someone had hurt my friend. But after seeing the full picture, talking with the foundation people and friends, and with Tae, I'm confident. While driving here, the deputy investigator told me it's 70–80% as I think. But I'm still waiting to see the footage to confirm whether he came back down the bridge. If there's footage of him coming down, then it's not that."

This suggests he left his bicycle up there? "Right now I understand he leaned his bicycle there. We're still waiting on one more shot."

The Central Administrative Court ruled on August 7, 2025, that it would not accept Dr. Sorun Bunybaichaipruk's petition challenging a selection committee decision that found him in breach of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act. Dr. Sorun had sought to suspend enforcement of the committee's decision, block a royal petition for his removal, and prevent the selection of a replacement NBTC chairman. The court's ruling makes the selection committee's decision final and removes legal obstacles to the Prime Minister's submission of a royal petition recommending Sorun's dismissal. Officials may now proceed with all procedures to implement the decision, including nominating a new NBTC chairman. The ruling also affirms that the NBTC, as an independent state agency under the constitution, falls within the scope of authority requiring Prime Minister and Cabinet responsibility, obligating the PM to submit the petition with supporting information for royal approval to resolve ongoing gridlock in NBTC operations.

Thailand's badminton sisters Nuntakan "Anna" Eiamsaard and Benyapa "Muna" Eiamsaard defeated a South Korean pair in straight games to reach the women's doubles final of the Victor Korea Masters 2026 on 8 August. The Thai duo beat Lee Seung-hee and Park Min-ji 21-11, 21-14 in the semi-final of the BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament in South Korea. The victory sent the Eiamsaard sisters through to the final, where they will face China's third-seeded pair Wang Tingge and Luo Yi. Wang and Luo reached the final after beating South Korea's Kim Yu-jung and Lee Yu-lim 14-21, 21-16, 21-18.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen presided over the royal cremation ceremony of Dr. Prasert Prasatthong Prasatthong at Meru Luang in front of the Phlabphla Itsarayakorn pavilion at Wat Thepsirin Woras on August 8, 2026. Princess Sirindhorn also attended the ceremony.

Dr. Prasert Prasatthong was born on March 22, 1933, in Bangkok, the fourth of ten children born to Thong Yu and Boonrod Prasatthong. He completed his primary and lower secondary education at Assumption College Bangrak, upper secondary at Triam Udom Suksa School, and earned his bachelor's degree in medicine from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University. He also received honorary doctorates from several leading educational institutions.

His career began as a resident physician and associate professor in the Department of Surgery at Siriraj Hospital before leaving government service to pursue private business ventures in construction and oil drilling. In the healthcare field, he founded Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, a major private hospital network in Thailand. He also established Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited and ventured into digital television media.

He held important positions including senator for two terms and member of parliament. He received numerous awards and honors, including the Chaiyanatnai Award for outstanding public health administrator in 2018 from His Majesty the King, a Certificate of Moral Excellence, and the Wheel of Dharma Award for contributions to Buddhism from Princess Sirindhorn. He received the Honorary Physician award from the Medical Council for exemplary management and conduct, the National Distinguished Preventive Medicine award in 2019 from the Thai Association of Preventive Medicine, and the Mahidol Gratitude Award, the highest honor bestowed by Mahidol University to distinguished alumni for their virtue, professional ethics, and outstanding contributions to society and nation.

For his extensive contributions, Dr. Prasert Prasatthong received numerous Thai royal decorations and medals including the Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chakra, the Most Distinguished Order of the Valiant, the Most Auspicious Order of the Crown of Thailand, and the Chakra Medal of the Tenth Reign Class 4. He also received foreign honors from French President Jacques Chirac and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

In his family life, he was married to Wallee Prasatthong and had five children. Dr. Prasert Prasatthong passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, at the age of 93.

Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Economy and Society Nannapat Bunyathida Samchai, speaking as Pheu Thai Party spokesperson, said on August 8 that the government is prepared for Parliament's ordinary session scheduled for late August. The government expects the session to include consideration of a borrowing bill and anticipates the opposition will file a no-confidence motion, but coalition lawmakers stand ready to present multiple legislative proposals to advance national administration, including laws on digital economy, artificial intelligence, and data center policy.

When asked how the government has prepared for a potential no-confidence vote, Samchai replied that the timing and focus of any opposition motion remains uncertain. She noted that while the opposition is expected to file a motion as usual, the government is not worried because it is confident it can answer all questions. Regarding potential allegations about alleged parliamentary vote-buying, Samchai questioned the relevance to the government and noted that such accusations have consistently been made without any supporting evidence. She stressed that the government is not concerned and remains confident in its ability to respond to any questions while maintaining stable governance.