A minibus carrying 13 Laotian passengers collided with a three-wheeled vehicle (tuk-tuk) on Friendship Road in Udon Thani city on August 21, leaving two elderly occupants injured. The minibus driver, Tosaporn Phochernsri, 37, from Bangkok, reported that after picking up Laotian passengers at the Thai-Laos Friendship Gate in Nong Khai and completing passport procedures, he was heading to Bangkok when he spotted the tuk-tuk suddenly changing lanes. Despite attempting to brake, he could not stop in time. The Bangkok-registered minibus had brake marks over 50 meters long at the impact site. CCTV footage showed the minibus traveling at 80-99 kilometers per hour in the rightmost lane when the tuk-tuk, initially in the middle lane, shifted into its path. Police suspect the tuk-tuk driver was attempting to reach a U-turn point ahead but are awaiting full investigation results. The minibus carried 14 people including the driver; most passengers sustained only minor injuries from shock. The tuk-tuk, which could not be legally registered for commercial transport use, had no insurance. Nearby motorcycle repair shop owner Atit, 43, witnessed the collision as the tuk-tuk crashed into an area in front of his shop. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage, witness statements, and interviewing both drivers to determine the exact cause.

On August 21, monks at Wat Pa Adul Yaram in Khon Kaen's Muang District conducted evening chanting, attended by local Buddhist lay followers. Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit, the temple's abbot, addressed the situation by explaining that temple establishment is complete because it followed proper monastic legal procedures and received official announcement in the Royal Gazette. He urged skeptics to study the law and temple establishment process, comparing the completion to a marriage certificate—once filed and announced, the matter is concluded. Some documents from 30 years ago may be lost to time, but the official announcement in the Royal Gazette is final. He also humorously remarked that some matters must remain confidential, like a James Bond film.

Regarding the 10 million baht rumor, Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit firmly denied that anyone had called offering money and urged the public not to believe false rumors, stating that even if someone offered hundreds of millions or billions of baht, he would not leave the temple. He asked people not to believe the money rumors, saying "no one called, and whether it's hundreds of millions or billions, we will not go. We will stay here."

Meanwhile, Saengdao Chantavichai, 76, a temple lay leader, clarified accusations that the temple was dividing land among committee members. He confirmed that all temple officials volunteered without expecting personal benefit, seeking only to preserve the temple and its traditions. He expressed concern for the abbot's safety following ongoing disturbances. The temple currently has five lay leaders of varying ages, with the most senior over 80 years old. Saengdao stated that the land in question is vacant and any descendants' legal claims would be without merit. He also noted that disturbances have occurred since 1992, and if one entrance is blocked, they may try another.

On August 21 at 9 p.m., a motorcycle accident occurred when a rider lost control and plunged into a water pipe trench approximately 3 meters deep near the Ban Moh Subdistrict Cultural Center in Muang District, Phetchaburi Province. The injured man, 41-year-old Chitpong, sustained severe injuries including a fractured leg and multiple wounds. Ban Moh Subdistrict rescue workers and Sawang Saraphetch Foundation volunteers responded to the scene, finding the motorcycle covered in mud at the bottom of the pit. Rescue operations were difficult due to the narrow, slippery, and deep conditions of the site. It took approximately 15 minutes to safely extract the injured man and transport him to Phrachomklao Hospital in Phetchaburi. A witness who followed the injured rider explained that the motorcycle likely swerved to avoid an oncoming car on a muddy road that had been rained on, causing it to fall into the deep trench. The witness noted that the construction area lacked adequate lighting and warning signs were unclear, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution. The witness urged relevant authorities to strictly oversee safety measures in the area.

Not Panuthvach Nakvisut, chief executive of Thai Mart Marketplace, has detailed the platform's growth strategy and commitment to developing Thai brands through a smartphone app designed for real-time vendor-customer communication. Originally, merchants managed orders and alerts via computer, but the shift to mobile-first usage prompted the app development.

Nakvisut believes Thai entrepreneurs have high skill and capability but lack marketing and branding expertise, typically becoming subcontractors rather than brand owners. Thai Mart invites them to build their own brands for sustainable long-term growth. The platform operates on three core principles: fairness to both buyers and sellers with transparent, fixed commission rates that don't change daily or monthly; active listening and improvement, with the owner personally responding to social media comments; and authenticity, with strict counterfeit removal to guarantee genuine products.

Thai Mart will not compete on price cuts or discount codes against major platforms, arguing that price wars force platforms to increase fees on merchants, who then raise product prices, ultimately burdening consumers in a cycle of problems. Instead, the platform builds trust through value and quality, generating revenue from alternative channels like payment gateways and ancillary services within a broader business ecosystem.

Future plans include digital marketing across all social media platforms and recruiting young-generation presenters to drive engagement and expand the user base across all age groups. The platform is open to foreign capital and international brands provided they meet quality standards, pay taxes correctly, and compete under the same rules.

Ban Na Sao district launched the Community-Based Treatment and Care program phase 2 for drug users on August 21, 2569 at Patthanamrom Temple in Ban Na Sao district, Surat Thani province. Officials including Supha Kanchana, Surat Thani Provincial Administrative Organization president; Uthai Tueaksubarn, district chief; and Associate Professor Pharmacist Dr. Withaya Kulsomboon attended the opening alongside police, health officials, village headmen, nurses, and community representatives.

Kanchana stated that drug addiction is a serious problem affecting individuals, families, the economy, society, and the nation. To address this challenge, the program offers drug users treatment alternatives beyond hospital care through community-based recovery that is flexible and less disruptive to daily life. She emphasized the need for coordinated support from government, private sectors, and community members to prevent relapse.

Dr. Kulsomboon noted that the program represents an important step in building knowledge and skills for practitioners to provide continuous community-level care for drug users, which is central to sustainable drug problem solutions. He highlighted that drug abuse impacts security, safety, health, economics, and quality of life, requiring cooperation from all sectors—government, academia, civil society, and especially local communities.

The Public Health Ministry prioritizes drug prevention through integrated health and social approaches, focusing on risk reduction, protective factors, and continuous community care under the principle that patients deserve rehabilitation opportunities, not just punishment. The ministry's implementation strategy includes developing personnel capacity through practical learning so counselors have modern skills and understand patient context, and establishing continuous community care that links hospital services with community follow-up to reduce relapse.

The second night of Ray McDonald's funeral rites took place on August 21 at Wat Yang, a royal temple, with the hall filled with grief-stricken family and friends from both inside and outside the entertainment industry. McDonald, a celebrated actor and presenter, died suddenly on August 19 at his residence in Bangkok's Pattanakarn district. The ceremony hall was surrounded by countless flower wreaths of various styles—fresh flowers, paper flowers, wreaths donated to charities, potted plants, fans, and bicycles—sent continuously by mourners.

The second night's merit-making ceremony was organized by Traill International School, represented by Director and CEO Mr. Robert Traill, along with contributions from Trill International School, Samran Chuay Jamnaek (Eed Fly), Rahad Ratchakham (Frog Taxi), and Element72 Co. Ltd. Young actor Uck Akkarat Nimitrchai attended to pay his respects, describing Ray as an idol for both his acting and presentation skills, praising his genuine and natural performances and his principled character that remained steadfast amid social trends. Uck reflected that the sudden loss was heartbreaking and admitted to rewatching old photos and clips; he came to support Ray's widow and son Mika, noting that the tragedy reminded him to value his own health and not neglect it for work or passion.

Actress Jieab Chern Yim also attended to offer condolences and share memories, revealing that she and Ray had grown close through working together on various programs and considered him a dear older brother. She described him as dedicated, charming, approachable with everyone, and an icon of 1990s coolness. "Today I came to sincerely support his family and close friends so they know they are not alone, and I wish Ray travels onward to a better realm with happiness in heaven, continuing his journeys without the burden of a heavy backpack," she said.