A wave of supernatural belief has gripped two subdistricts in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province, as residents have collectively hung red clothing in front of nearly every house to protect against the "widow ghost." This response was triggered by rumors of two consecutive mysterious deaths of healthy men in the area with no underlying illness.

Investigators found red shirts, pants, cloth, and umbrellas tied to doors, pillars, staircases, and trees throughout the villages of Hua Hin and Bung Na Riang subdistricts. Some items had faded to pink from prolonged exposure to sun and rain, while others remained bright red from recent installation. The normally bustling villages fell unnaturally quiet, with residents discussing the superstition in hushed groups.

According to Northeast Thai tradition passed down for generations, the deaths were attributed to a widow ghost seeking a companion. Lert Phuttom, 73, a resident of Nong No Village, revealed that during the period of the death rumors, he experienced recurring nightmares and was awakened in the night by the sound of dogs throughout the village howling abnormally—a sign that the animals could see something invisible to humans. In his dreams, he saw two young women he instinctively knew were widow ghosts attempting to lure him away, but he refused. After hanging a red shirt in front of his house, following the belief that widow ghosts fear the color red, his nightmares ceased and the dogs fell silent.

Young people, children, and teenagers were equally frightened by the rumors and sought their own red cloth, shirts, and umbrellas to hang at their homes for peace of mind. Even skeptics who doubted the supernatural chose to participate, reasoning that hanging red cloth caused no harm while providing psychological comfort.

Since red cloth has been hung throughout the area, no further cases of mysterious male deaths have been reported in the village or nearby areas, reinforcing residents' conviction that the red cloth amulets are effective. Life continues normally amid the red symbols fluttering in front of nearly every home.

BANGKOK: Thailand has rejected a UN special rapporteur’s report estimating that 650,000 Cambodians were internally displaced during recent border clashes, saying the findings relied on one-sided information and failed to include Thailand’s perspective.

Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin reported that Jao Chiu Noi, an orphaned wild elephant being treated at Thaioyak National Park in Kanchanaburi Province, died peacefully at 2:00 a.m. on August 4, 2025, from acute kidney failure. Despite the veterinary team and park officials' round-the-clock intensive care and continuous resuscitation efforts until the final moment, the elephant could not be saved.

Chomklin expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting that he had personally visited the elephant on August 3 at 10:00 a.m. to monitor treatment and encourage the veterinary team and staff. He had instructed them to provide the best scientific care, hopeful for recovery, but the elephant passed away early that morning. Over the preceding days, officials had mobilized all resources to care for the elephant closely, including intravenous fluid administration, oxygen support, 24-hour monitoring, and milk feeding every 2-3 hours. Although the elephant drank normally, it showed weakness alternating with attempts to stand, diarrhea, and dark urine. Around 2:00 a.m., the elephant fell into peaceful sleep and the veterinary team performed full resuscitation, but could not save its life.

Preliminary assessment by the veterinary team suggests acute kidney failure as the cause, with blood tests showing elevated muscle breakdown markers and possible congenital organ abnormalities. However, a necropsy will be performed and samples sent to the veterinary laboratory for detailed investigation, with results to be shared with the public. "I express deep sympathy for Jao Chiu Noi's passing and thank the veterinarians, Thaioyak National Park staff, and all officials who performed their duties with utmost dedication and care," Chomklin stated, adding that their efforts reflect Thailand's commitment to wildlife conservation and protection.

Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Phasiwarawat responded to criticism of the National Health Security Fund (gold card) budget management, rejecting allegations that healthcare funds were used to organize events or activities. The government welcomes full investigation at every stage because public spending must be transparent and auditable, though it requested that public communication be based on factual grounds to prevent public misunderstanding of the country's health insurance system.

Regarding questions about the gold card budget exceeding 60,000 million baht raised by Health Minister Pattana Prom-pattana, the government clarified this was an inquiry to examine budget allocation structures in detail, not an accusation of missing funds or corruption. After receiving clarification from the National Health Security Office, it was confirmed that funds were not missing but distributed to service units including medical schools, hospitals under other agencies, private hospitals, local health funds, and local government organizations. The current audit aims to show budget allocation details and increase system transparency, not to allege missing funds.

Phasiwarawat stated that allegations of diverting gold card budget to organize hospital activities contradict the facts. The health security budget has clear payment criteria and expenditure rules that cannot be used for other purposes. Any hospital activity budgets come from hospital maintenance funds under relevant regulations, not from the gold card medical service budget, and ministers lack authority to transfer or direct gold card funds for other activities as claimed.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is reviewing budget allocation guidelines to align with actual service unit workloads, particularly ministry hospitals serving the majority of the country's population, and studying the appropriateness of allocations by category to increase efficiency and fairness. If anyone has evidence of improper budget use, the government is ready for authorized agencies to conduct thorough investigation with no protection for wrongdoers. All procurement projects must comply with law and be auditable.

"The government has never rejected inspection and welcomes authorized agencies to investigate fully, listening to all beneficial suggestions and ready to improve budget allocation systems," the spokesperson said. "But allegations of misusing people's gold card funds should have clear supporting evidence, as this may cause misunderstanding and damage confidence in the health security system used by over 47 million people. Therefore, discussions and criticism should be fact-based, as all parties should aim to strengthen, make transparent, and improve Thailand's health security system for better public service—not create social confusion."

At 12:10 a.m. on August 4, 2569, Ms. Kannyaphak (surname withheld), 36, filed a report at Pattaya City Police Station after three men posing as detectives raided a herbal shop in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, and abducted her and two other employees. She was taken to a safe house where the suspects demanded 10,000 baht to secure the release of all three victims. Suspecting they were impostors—because they were not taken to a police station but instead to a room containing drug paraphernalia and only demanding cash—she reported the incident upon release.

The incident began on July 27 when three men claiming to be police entered the shop requesting a search and falsely alleged they found drug equipment. One of the three suspects later released Ms. Kannyaphak to obtain the 10,000 baht extortion money. However, she did not have the funds and recognized the men were fraudsters, prompting her immediate report to authorities.

Investigating officer Pol. Sub-Lt. Saijai Khamjulla of Pattaya City Police received the complaint and dispatched a team to the scene to retrieve CCTV footage and identify the three suspects for legal prosecution.