The director of Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has ordered an investigation into whether the head of Similan Islands National Park violated departmental regulations by allowing MP Veerachai Theeraphatthanon and his group to stay overnight at the park approximately four years ago.

On August 5, Veerachai, serving as a special committee member reviewing the 2570 fiscal budget bill, had spoken in parliament reflecting his personal views and experience from a trip to Similan Islands National Park about four years prior. He described the accommodation and service quality as "very poor" and cited specific limitations such as lights being turned off at 8 p.m., poor bedding conditions, limited water supply, weak internet signals, and recommended considering private-public partnership management models.

Artchpol Jarunchansea, director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stated that while the department appreciates the constructive suggestions from the committee member, it must thoroughly verify the facts. He ordered the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate whether the Similan Islands National Park director's authorization of the overnight stay violated the departmental announcement of October 4, 2561 (published in the Royal Gazette on October 8, 2561) that closed overnight accommodation at Similan Islands. This closure announcement has been in effect for eight years.

The overnight closure was enacted to address garbage and wastewater problems affecting the environment and to focus on natural resource restoration and sustainable reduction of marine ecosystem impacts. The area was designated for day-trip visits only. The director emphasized that while the department welcomes beneficial suggestions for public interest and is ready to consider them for improving operations and service efficiency, all procedures and conditions must comply with government regulations and relevant legal frameworks properly and carefully.

BANGKOK — 5 August 2026, A transgender model has spoken out after she said she was turned away from a fashion photoshoot moments before filming because the brand owner objected to her gender identity, prompting calls for clearer hiring requirements in the modelling industry.

Speaking to Khaosod Online, the model, who goes by Owen, said she had been hired for a lifestyle clothing photoshoot through a last-minute booking. During discussions with the production team, no requirement was mentioned that applicants had to be cisgender women or that transgender models would not be accepted.

Owen said she arrived at the set on 4 August, checked in with the crew, ordered refreshments and changed into the wardrobe before staff informed her they needed to verify details with the brand owner.

"They asked me, 'Are you transgender? The brand owner isn't okay with that, so you'll have to go home,'" she recalled.

Shocked by the decision, Owen asked the crew to discuss the matter again with the brand owner, noting that she had already travelled to the location and was ready to begin work. However, the team later returned and confirmed the decision had not changed.

She said the production team initially offered compensation for her wasted time, but the amount was less than half of the agreed modelling fee. After negotiating, one crew member agreed to contribute additional money personally because, according to Owen, the brand owner refused to increase the payment.

Owen explained that she normally posts her modelling profile, including her portfolio, body measurements and social media accounts, in online casting groups. Prospective clients then contact her directly to discuss jobs.

She said this was not the first time she had encountered such a situation, although previous incidents had been resolved through discussion without her being asked to leave.

Owen believes gender should not be an issue for fashion still photography, where voice and dialogue are irrelevant. She added that for video projects requiring speaking roles, she always informs clients in advance that she is transgender so they can decide whether she fits the role.

She urged brands and casting agencies to clearly state any gender-specific requirements in job advertisements.

"If a brand is strict about gender, they should specify it in the casting post. I've seen posts that clearly say 'cisgender women only,' and in those cases I simply don't apply," she said.

Owen added that the incident occurred on her birthday, making the experience especially upsetting. Despite the setback, she said she will continue working as a model and hopes employers will communicate their requirements clearly to prevent similar situations in the future.

Prime Minister Anusit Charnvirakul and Interior Minister welcomed Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on an official state visit to Thailand at 10:20 a.m. on August 6, 2025, at the Thai Khu Fa Building. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister extended a warm reception and led a formal welcoming ceremony complete with an honor guard inspection. After the ceremony, the President signed the government guestbook and exchanged commemorative gifts in the Elephant Room before proceeding to a small-group discussion with the Prime Minister to exchange views on promoting Thai-Myanmar cooperation, including cross-border management, energy cooperation, trade facilitation, and border peace and stability.

The full delegation discussions were held in the Green Room at Thai Khu Fa Building, with Thai delegates including Deputy Prime Ministers Eknit Nitithumprach (Finance), Sihasak Puangketkaew (Foreign Affairs), and Supachee Suthammapant (Commerce), along with senior military and cabinet officials. Myanmar's delegation included Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe, Energy Minister Ko Ko Lwin, and Commerce Minister Thun Aung, among other senior officials.

At 12:15 p.m., the Prime Minister and Myanmar President will jointly witness the signing of agreements and exchange of memoranda of understanding, followed by aid presentation ceremonies at the Santitham Building of Government House.

BANGKOK — On 5 August 2026, the Royal Gazette published a Prime Minister's Office announcement granting royal approval to strip three former police officers of their ranks and revoke their royal decorations.

The officers were dismissed from service after being found to have committed serious disciplinary offences.

They are:

Pol. Col. Ratthawee Chaiyana — effective 31 October 2017 Pol. Lt. Col. Yusron Abdulsama — effective 25 November 2021 Pol. Lt. Phuwanai Kaewnoi — effective 26 October 2024

The announcement also ordered the recall of decorations previously awarded to the three men, including honours under the Orders of the White Elephant and the Crown of Thailand, as well as service medals.

On August 6, 2025, Police Region 5 Command arrested Saksit (surname withheld), a 50-year-old man, based on criminal court warrant number 3007/2569 issued on May 25, 2025. He is accused of human trafficking through child prostitution, procuring children for sex work, facilitating child sexual abuse, protecting child prostitution networks, abducting minors for sexual purposes, coercion, and promoting children to commit crimes. The arrest took place at a hotel parking lot on Saeng Chuto Road in Tambon Thamakham, Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province.

According to the investigation, Saksit, who worked as a motorcycle taxi driver in Kanchanaburi city, was operating a side scheme to transport and recruit girls under 15 years old to work as prostitutes at various hotels in the area. He would collect 500 baht per transaction as a middleman fee from the children. After gathering sufficient evidence, authorities obtained a court warrant for his arrest.

During interrogation, Saksit confessed to the charges, admitting he deducted 500 baht from each child's earnings as commission. He was transferred to Region 5 investigators for prosecution and authorities are expanding the investigation to identify and assist all victims involved.

Ukraine's military intelligence revealed on August 6 that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers to support Russian strikes against Ukraine. Russia has been exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of air defense systems by increasingly deploying ballistic missiles that are particularly difficult to intercept. Since late 2022, Russia has fired dozens of North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine, but the deployment of the North Korean missile unit represents an expansion of existing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea under Kim Jong Un's direction.

Andre Chernyak, an official at Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, stated that Russia plans to deploy a missile unit comprising approximately 90 North Korean personnel in Voronezh region in western Russia, operating under Russia's 112th Missile Brigade. This development follows a major Russian assault on Kyiv region on Wednesday, August 5, which killed at least 17 people and destroyed warehouses and logistics centers of a major Ukrainian retailer. Russia fired 115 drones and 24 missiles in the attack; while most drones were shot down, Ukraine's depleted air defense systems could not intercept the missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the possibility of obtaining additional air defense interceptors. "Mark understands the threat well, and we have coordinated our efforts regarding countries that have the necessary missiles and capability to assist," Zelenskiy posted in English on X, emphasizing the need to "remove all bureaucratic steps and make the necessary political decisions." Rutte posted on X following the discussion that he is consulting with allies on how to provide additional air defense systems.