Miss Universe Thailand 2026 unveiled 77 national costume designs at the pageant's costume competition round, celebrating Thai cuisine and fruit as soft power on the international stage. Held at MGI Hall in Bravo BKK shopping center on Rama 9 Road, the event featured spectacular designs inspired by dishes ranging from southern gaeng som and giant prawn tom yam to grilled chicken, boat noodles, sour fish soup, papaya salad, red ant egg curry, pad Thai, golden threads, rambutan, mangosteen, longan, banana, durian, mango sticky rice, and countless other Thai delicacies and fruits. Designer Bossnawat Isarkaraisil, pageant director and CEO of Miss Universe Eastern, emphasized that each of the 77 costumes creatively transformed familiar Thai foods and fruits into stunning, imaginative, and elaborate designs that showcase Thailand's abundance and culinary reputation worldwide.

Only one contestant will win the national costume competition and earn the opportunity to represent Thailand at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. Judging will involve two panels of judges plus votes from the top two contestants, with public voting open on the Miss Universe Thailand website from today at 11 p.m. through August 23 at 6 p.m. The Miss Universe Thailand 2026 final pageant takes place on August 23, 2025, starting at 7 p.m. Beyond the costume round, contestants will also compete for the Best Seller Award and Thailand's Choice Award, both of which automatically advance winners to the Top 20, making every vote and cheer potentially crucial in determining who advances to the Miss Universe stage.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul expressed concern over flooding in Pua District, Nan Province on August 19 while in Australia, instructing all government agencies to mobilize full relief efforts. He spoke with Deputy Prime Minister Yasothon Wongswaddi, who oversees the northern region, directing him to send teams and visit the area personally. The Prime Minister confirmed that the area has been officially declared a disaster, allowing aid to be distributed without central approval and enabling faster resource allocation. Shelters have been established and the Prime Minister stressed that assistance must be comprehensive—covering food, clothing, and medicine—and must not resemble the inadequate Hat Yai flood response where rice containers came with only two small pieces of chicken. He acknowledged that all sectors, including the military, are providing full support. Although relief efforts are underway, the Prime Minister, currently in Australia on official business, expressed concern and sent encouragement to affected residents. Damaged roads are being attended to by responsible agencies under Deputy Prime Minister Yasothon's coordination. Compensation follows existing regulations: those affected for three consecutive days receive family assistance and funds for home repairs.

Leo Puth and Tar Phalaipol Tephawasdin described the moment they learned of Ray Macdonald's sudden death at his home, revealing he had been resting little and working hard. They explained that during their break time, they would stay apart so Ray could spend time with his child, as today was the first day of school for his son.

At 10:48 a.m. on August 19, 2025, at his residence in the Pattanakarn 61 area, staff from the Po Tek Tung Foundation removed the body of Ray Macdonald, a renowned actor and host, to transport it to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police Hospital for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

After learning of Ray's death, family members and close friends including Leo Puth and Tar Phalaipol Tephawasdin rushed to his home. The atmosphere was filled with grief and shock at the sudden passing.

Leo Puth recounted that around 7:00 a.m., he was surprised when Ray's wife called, as she rarely called in the morning. Normally it would be Ray who called, as he woke early every day. But his wife called crying and screaming. At first he thought they were arguing, but when she said Ray had passed away, he was extremely shocked and immediately rushed out.

Leo explained that Ray appeared to simply be sleeping. He suspected Ray had gotten too little rest, as Ray was always active and traveling—traveling had become a part of his life. Ray rarely showed signs of fatigue, though sometimes overwork or insufficient rest could catch up with someone. To Leo's knowledge, Ray had no chronic illnesses, but Ray wouldn't tell anyone even if he did.

"Sometimes people may have an underlying condition but don't know what it is. Without a health checkup, you might not discover you're sick until it's too late," Leo said.

He and Ray would see each other occasionally, but during their break from travel, they stayed apart so Ray could spend time with his son on the first day of school.

Regarding the cause of death, Leo preferred to wait for the doctors' findings. From what he observed, Ray appeared to simply fall asleep. Ray's main concern had been his family, followed by his work.

"I believe Ray's journey hasn't ended, but has only changed form. He will continue traveling with his curiosity to see and know everything. He's seen much of this world, so perhaps he'll see what the next world is like. I want to say, travel safely, be fortunate, and get some rest," Leo Puth said.

Meanwhile, Tar Barbie revealed, "I think it's good for him to get some rest now. We both understood each other and knew what the other was thinking or feeling. I hope Ray finds happiness."

Pop Ponggul expressed shock and grief over the sudden death of Ray McDonald, saying that every time he met his brother figure, he was full of energy and inspired him since childhood. He wished Ray peace in the afterlife. Ray McDonald died suddenly at his home when his wife, Maem Sarinyya, found him unresponsive on the living room sofa at 6:20 a.m. on August 19. Security footage showed he collapsed onto the sofa at 12:12 a.m. His body was taken for autopsy. Pop Ponggul posted photos and shared memories of working together with Ray, alongside a heartfelt tribute: "I'm shocked, brother. Every time I saw you, you had such fire and energy. You inspired me as a young person and will continue to inspire me as I grow old. I hope you find peace in your new journey. Your coolness and style will never fade from my heart, brother Ray." Comments from the entertainment industry have poured in with expressions of shock and condolence.

Ray McDonald's wife has opened up following the sudden death of her husband, saying he was very tired and wanted to retire, amid the mourning of his friends. At 10:50 a.m. on August 19, staff from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation removed the body of Putipong Srivatana, known professionally as Ray McDonald, a renowned actor and television host, from his residence in the Pattanakarn 61 area and transported it to the Police Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. After Ray McDonald's death, family members and close friends including Leo Putt and Ta Barbie arrived at his home, with the atmosphere filled with grief and shock at his sudden passing. Leo Putt revealed his thoughts, saying: "Ray's journey is not over. It is merely a change in form. Ray will continue his journey according to his nature—he wanted to see, to know everything. He had already seen so much of this world, so he wanted to experience the next world and see what it is like. I want to tell my friend to travel safely, be lucky, and get some rest." Ta Barbie shared: "It's good too. Let him get some rest. He deserved to rest because he was always thinking about work. Om told me that Ray and I—we two—we knew what was in each other's hearts and what we felt. I hope Ray is happy." Ray's wife revealed: "He must be very tired now. He wanted to retire. On the camera at midnight, Ray was watching television and then just seemed to fall asleep normally. I thought he was sleeping. When I saw him in the morning, I thought he was pretending to sleep because usually he likes to pretend to sleep when I come down so I'll wake him up. I went to wake him because we had to take our child to school, but no matter how much I called, he wouldn't wake up. I found that Ray's body was stiff—he couldn't be woken. He was gone. As for the arrangements, I will inform everyone again soon."

At a parliamentary meeting on August 19, Rangsimant Rom, deputy leader of the People's Party and chair of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee, discussed a major agenda item concerning fraud allegations in local government exams from 2567-2569. The committee has summoned officials and agencies for questioning, including the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commander of the Central Investigation Police, deputy governors, university rectors, and officials connected to the exam irregularities.

Rangsimant said evidence suggests the fraud goes beyond civil servants and involves political figures, particularly regarding a decision to transfer the exam administration from Burapha University to Srinakharinwirot University. The change involved drafting a Terms of Reference with political involvement, and officials including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and officials from the Department of Local Administration have been mentioned in connection with cancelling the contract with Burapha University.

The committee is seeking to determine whether the fraud was isolated to individual officials or part of a coordinated scheme, and whether it involves multiple political parties. Officials Somsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and former Interior Minister, and Tongchaem Chaatikitcharoen, an advisor to the Prime Minister, have been invited to clarify their knowledge of the scheme. Rangsimant noted that while the front-facing aspects of the corruption may be clear, the "behind-the-scenes" involvement remains under investigation and could reveal deeper political manipulation in the exam fraud case.