On August 24, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, along with senior officials from the Transport Ministry, Department of Highways, Samut Sakhon Province, Royal Thai Police, and related agencies, inspected the M82 expressway project spanning Bang Khun Thian, Ekachai, and Ban Phaew to assess progress and readiness before the public trial opening of the Ekachai–Ban Phaew section on Friday, August 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Ratchakitprakarn stated that the Transport Ministry and Department of Highways are accelerating the M82 motorway project to benefit the public and fulfill the "Quick Win" policy. The new section will operate 24 hours daily with free toll passage, allowing uninterrupted elevated highway use from Bang Khun Thian through Ekachai to Ban Phaew, a distance of approximately 25 kilometers. This provides an additional route option on Rama II Road and improves connectivity to Southern Thailand.

The Department of Highways has been instructed to verify all service sections meet standards, including structure, pavement, lighting, signs, traffic markings, and safety equipment. The department will coordinate with highway police, provincial police, rescue units, and local agencies to station personnel, patrol vehicles, and emergency response teams 24/7. Traffic management plans for M82 and Rama II Road, particularly at entry-exit points and the Ban Phaew junction, are being prepared, along with public information campaigns on access points, route conditions, and speed limits. A load test conducted on August 15 with the Engineering Institute of Thailand and structural engineers, using AASHTO standards and legal load specifications, confirmed the structure's response values are within acceptable limits, validating readiness for safe operation.

Flash Express Limited, represented by Printhip Isriyanmetha, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications and Government Relations for the Flash Business Group, is continuing its support for Bangkok's BKK Food Bank project for a second year. The initiative helps reduce inequality and promote food security by donating essential consumer goods to vulnerable groups in Huay Kwang District, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and those unable to care for themselves. As an organization committed to sustainable development, Flash Express aims to build an inclusive society by providing daily necessities to improve quality of life for those in long-term need, with the endorsement of Sombutti Kruekitti, Huay Kwang District Director, and his management team.

The director of Khao Laem National Park temporarily closed Gerung Krawei Waterfall on August 24 following severe flooding and falling rocks, with officials urging visitors to be cautious. Sakhon Supsai, head of Khao Laem National Park in Kanchanaburi, announced the temporary closure of the waterfall area in Prang Poel subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri district, after days of continuous heavy rain caused water to surge with cloudy discharge flowing into the Vajiralongkorn Dam reservoir. The connecting bridge used for sightseeing was partially damaged by the strong current. To protect visitors, the park has shut the waterfall area and will reopen as soon as water levels recede and conditions stabilize. The park's café, food stalls, drinks vendors, and restrooms remain open to the public. Visitors can track water level updates on the Khao Laem National Park Facebook page.

NARATHIWAT — 24 August 2026, Security officials have detained one suspect in connection with a series of attacks at 40 locations across Narathiwat province, while bomb disposal teams are inspecting a railway track damaged by an explosive before repairs can begin and services resume as soon as possible.

Personnel from the Southern Border Provinces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, the Narathiwat Provincial Police EOD unit, the Narathiwat Provincial Forensic Science Division and military sniffer-dog teams went to inspect a railway line where an explosive device had been planted.

The site is at kilometre marker 1090, between Maruebo Railway Station and Tanyong Mat Railway Station in Village 1, Maruebo Tok subdistrict, Ra-ngae district, Narathiwat.

It was one of 40 locations targeted in a coordinated series of attacks on the night of 22 August, prompting the State Railway of Thailand to suspend all train services from 23 August.

Before reaching the scene, officials had to walk about 1 kilometre along the railway line from Maruebo station while exercising caution. They found three improvised explosive devices, each packed inside a 25-kilogramme gas cylinder and fitted with timers.

One device had been placed directly on the railway track, damaging two concrete sleepers and tearing apart the rail, making it impossible for trains to pass. Two other devices had been placed on electricity poles beside a road running alongside the railway, about 50 metres from the main blast site. The poles were damaged but did not collapse.

Officials collected forensic evidence from the scene and estimated that at least six people may have been involved in the attack at this location.

Southern Train Services Adjusted

The State Railway of Thailand has adjusted its southern train services following the attack on the track between Maruebo and Tanyong Mat stations at kilometre marker 1090. The temporary arrangements will remain in place until officials repair the damaged track, which is expected to take one to two days.

Train No. 452 from Sungai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat will terminate at Tanyong Mat before returning as special passenger train No. 2541 from Tanyong Mat to Sungai Kolok.

Train No. 37 from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Sungai Kolok, which departed Bangkok on 22 August, will terminate at Maruebo before returning as special passenger train No. 2542 from Maruebo to Yala and continuing as Train No. 38 from Yala to Krung Thep Aphiwat.

Train No. 985 from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok, which departed on 22 August, will terminate at Lalo before returning as special freight service No. 2545 from Lalo to Yala and continuing as Train No. 986 from Yala to Bangkok.

Train No. 447 from Surat Thani to Sungai Kolok will terminate at Yala and operate as Train No. 448 from Yala to Surat Thani on 24 August.

Train No. 463 from Phatthalung to Sungai Kolok will terminate at Yala before returning as Train No. 464 from Yala to Phatthalung.

A mathematics teacher at a school in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, has been suspended following allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct toward a 16-year-old Grade 10 student, with claims that grades were involved. The school principal revealed that before the case became public, the school had received information and reviewed relevant video evidence, immediately establishing a fact-finding committee. The school invited parents and the student to provide information and asked the accused teacher to give a statement; a three-member committee unanimously found the conduct constituted serious disciplinary violation.

Because disciplinary investigations and penalties for specialists fall under the authority of higher officials, the school compiled witness statements, documents, and physical evidence and submitted the case to the District Education Office for formal disciplinary investigation. The principal noted the teacher had worked at the school for approximately seven years with no previous complaints of this nature. Following discovery of the evidence, the school ordered the teacher to cease teaching duties and avoid contact with students temporarily to prevent interference with witnesses and evidence. The teacher continues other administrative duties given the ongoing investigation status.

The principal clarified that the teacher's separate transfer request was a routine application to which all staff are entitled, not a direct result of this case. Police and disciplinary investigations remain ongoing, with the teacher remaining the accused party pending investigation findings or formal determination.

Time may pass, but memories never fade. The legendary country drama "Love Spell of the Countryside 1995," which once created a nationwide phenomenon, has thrilled fans once again as three iconic actresses—Namphung Thammapreeda, Tom Ratchaneekormnimit, and Pond Rungrat Duangkwan—prepare for a major reunion after 31 years.

This special reunion is made possible through the dedication of producer and music teacher Rueang Yos Phimthong, who has connected the actresses from the countryside back together to create another unforgettable moment in the Harmony of Nakhonsawan Concert themed "Love Spell of the Countryside."

The event's highlight will showcase the classic songs and stories that were most famous in the 1990s, with Namphung, Tom, and Pond returning to the stage together after more than three decades. The activity, created by Nakhonsawan Rajabhat University in partnership with youth networks for Nakhonsawan, aims to promote the city as "Nakhonsawan, the City of Creative Music."

Event details: The concert will be held on August 28, 2025, at Nakhonsawan Rajabhat University with the Youth Network for Nakhonsawan City. Admission is free. True fans of the original drama cannot miss this chance to be part of a new chapter in history and relive the beloved songs of the past.